Spatial and temporal patterns of burn-related search interest in Brazil: a cross-sectional infodemiology study (2023–2024)
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: PURPOSE: Burns are a leading cause of preventable morbidity globally, yet web search data's value for burn surveillance is unclear. We investigated spatiotemporal associations between Google Trends interest and burn hospitalizations across Brazilian states. METHODS: An ecological study covered all Brazilian states in 2023-2024, using the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System/Hospital Information System (DATASUS/SIH) hospitalizations, Google Trends scores for "queimadura" (0-100 scale), and 2022 Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics' census estimates. Spearman's correlation, global Moran's I, and SaTScan assessed correlation, autocorrelation, and temporal clustering. RESULTS: A total of 64,380 burn hospitalizations occurred (32,075 in 2023; 32,305 in 2024), and incidence ranged from 0.47 to 53.77 per 100,000 inhabitants. Search interest correlated moderately with burn incidence in 2023 (ρ = 0.44; p = 0.02). Google Trends scores showed significant spatial autocorrelation in both years (2023: I = 0.36, p = 0.004; 2024: I = 0.25, p = 0.02), while hospitalization incidence did not. A temporal cluster occurred from June to October 2024 (relative risk = 1.08); related searches focused on treatment-seeking and first-aid. CONCLUSION: Search interest partially reflects the geographic and temporal burden of burns in Brazil, though inconsistently and independently of hospitalization patterns. Google Trends may complement burn surveillance, but findings warrant cautious interpretation pending further validation.
Source: Acta Cirúrgica Brasileira
DOI: 10.1590/acb416726
Institutions: Fundação Faculdade de Medicina, Mayo Clinic
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,500
OpenAlex ID: W7225401954