The language used in Facebook posts could help detect health problems

The language used in Facebook publications can be used to identify certain medical conditions, according to new research.

A new study by researchers at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Stony Brook University in the United States suggests that badyzing the content of publications on the social network could help to to detect signs of problems such as diabetes, anxiety, depression and psychosis.

The researchers badyzed the language in the Facebook messages of about 1,000 patients screened and indicated that it could be used to better understand a person's lifestyle choices. and his feelings, which could also help with any potential treatment.

Dr. Raina Merchant, author of the study, said, "This work is early, but we hope that the information collected can be used to better inform patients and health care providers about their health.

"Since social media publications often address lifestyle choices and experiences of someone, or how they feel, this information could provide additional information about disease management. and exacerbation. "

The researchers used an automated data collection technique to badyze the full history of Facebook posts from those who had agreed to participate and to share their data. Participants also agreed to have electronic medical records related to their profiles.

Looking at 21 different conditions, researchers say all 21 were predictable from Facebook's only data.

The regular use of words such as "drink" or "bottle" could be used to predict the abuse of alcohol, while the use of hostile language may be used to predict alcohol abuse. has proven to be an indicator of drug abuse and psychoses, the researchers said.

It follows a study done last year by a part of the same team that suggested that social media publications could help predict a diagnosis of depression.

The people behind the latest study said that it was difficult to predict how an optional version of the system could be prevalent for patients, but Dr. Merchant said that she " could be useful "for those who regularly use social media.

For example, if a person is trying to lose weight and needs help understanding their dietary choices and exercise programs, ask a health care professional to review his or her chart. social networks could help her better understand her usual habits and improve them, "she said. .

Dr. Merchant is scheduled to conduct a trial later this year that will require patients to directly share their social media content with their health care provider, which researchers believe will help them better understand how well patients are being treated. willing to use their online publications as part of health care.