Alopecia: A Google trends analysis of the past 5 years (2018-2023)

Introduction: The study aimed to evaluate recent trends in public interest regarding various alopecia-associated diagnoses using Google Trends. Method: Data generated through Google Trends for the relative search volumes (RSVs) of the following diagnostic-related terms: “Alopecia,” “Alopecia areata,” “Androgenetic alopecia,” “Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia,” “Folliculitis decalvans,” “Frontal fibrosing alopecia,” “Telogen effluvium,” “Traction alopecia” (disease).” Analysis has been performed worldwide from July 29th, 2018, to July 16th, 2023. Results: Between 2018 and 2023, mean RSVs by 12-month period have remained stable for “alopecia” and “alopecia areata.” “Telogen effluvium” has increased peak search during 2020–2022. “Androgenetic alopecia” and “frontal fibrosing alopecia” display an increase for the past 5 years. There were differences in geographic distribution. For alopecia areata, all the countries were from the Middle East; for telogen effluvium, eight of the top 10 countries were Latin American or Spanish speaking, and Western countries had mainly searched for frontal fibrosing alopecia. Conclusions: Google Trends is not a real epidemiological tool. It can be only used by individuals who have access to the Internet, but it does not presume the person or the reason for the search. We observed different geographical distribution according to the disease. Infodemiology provides a better understanding of alopecia needs in different countries and continents.