Unraveling the complexities of early-onset colorectal cancer: a perspective on dietary and microbial influences.

While advances in screening have resulted in declining rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) among adults ≥50 years of age since the mid-2000s, the incidence of early-onset CRC (EOCRC) has steadily increased over the last decade. This increase is not fully accounted for by hereditary factors, and the hypothesis that a sedentary lifestyle and obesity are the primary culprits is not fully supported by recent reports indicating that many affected individuals lead active lifestyles, maintain normal weight, and are otherwise healthy. Attention has shifted toward dietary patterns, notably the consumption of processed and ultra-processed foods found in Western diets, which are suspected of disrupting the gut microbiome balance that potentially leads to EOCRC. The impact of antibiotic use on the gut microbiome is also posited as a contributing factor, given its rising prevalence in medical and agricultural practices. We propose that a paradigm shift is necessary for EOCRC research, moving beyond metabolic factors to a broader exploration of dietary and microbial influences. Future research must prioritize understanding the relationship between dietary habits, particularly processed food intake, antibiotic exposure, and gut microbiome dynamics, to unravel the complex etiology of EOCRC. This will be crucial in developing comprehensive preventive strategies to address the increasing incidence of this malignancy in younger populations.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A Cross-Sectional Observational Study Analyzing the Quality of Content on YouTube.

INTRODUCTION: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a chronic multifactorial disorder in women of reproductive age group, is a major public health problem. With most women resorting to platforms like "YouTube" that form a perfect source of edutainment, our aim was to analyze the quality of content available regarding the same. AIMS: The aims and objectives of this study were to assess the quality and reliability of content related to PCOS on YouTube by analyzing the DISCERN score, global quality score (GQS), and video power index (VPI). METHODOLOGY: It was a facility-based cross-sectional study undertaken on a single day with each author reviewing 10 videos from YouTube on PCOS using predetermined keywords. The number of likes, dislikes, views, comments, and uploader backgrounds were evaluated. DISCERN score, GQS, and VPI were also calculated for each video. While data entry was done using Microsoft Excel 2020 (Microsoft Corporation, Washington, United States), the analysis was carried out using SPSS Statistics version 16 (SPSS Inc. Released 2007. SPSS for Windows, Version 16.0. Chicago, SPSS Inc.). Categorical variables were expressed as frequency and percentages, and statistical significance was determined using the Kruskal-Wallis test/one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: A total of 80 videos that fit the inclusion criteria were analyzed. A majority of the videos (80%) were posted a year back with no updates. Only 28.8% of the video content was posted by doctors. Though most videos (96.25%) shared information pertaining to symptomatology, only 45% spoke regarding prevention. Promotional content was noted in 28.75% of the video content. GQS and VPI were better with information being provided by doctors, hospitals, and healthcare organizations (p-value 0.033 and 0.006, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: With women reaching out to edutainment platforms like YouTube to clarify their concerns surrounding lifestyle diseases such as PCOS in the digital era, it becomes relevant to evaluate the quality of content available on such platforms. The findings of the study form a prototype for addressing the existing gaps in the knowledge available on YouTube. Furthermore, the findings warrant frequent monitoring of such available web-based content and delivery of such content only from qualified wellness experts.