Abstract 4148214: Missing the Point: Readability Analysis of Online Patient Information for Cardiac Amyloidosis

Background: Advancements in diagnostics and increased awareness have led to higher identification of cardiac amyloidosis. This condition, characterized by the abnormal deposition of amyloid proteins in the heart, has created a greater need for comprehensive educational materials for patients and their families. Patients with cardiac amyloidosis often require specialized care from subspecialists at academic medical centers (AMCs). Our study aims to evaluate whether the readability of patient education materials provided by AMCs meets the National Institutes of Health (NIH) standard of an 8th-grade reading level or below.

Methods: We conducted a Google search to find educational materials on cardiac amyloidosis from AMCs. Text from these websites was analyzed using 10 readability assessment tools, including Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level and Gunning Fog Index. We used simple linear regression to assess the relationship between readability scores and independent variables such as word count, U.S. News ranking, and Google Search ranking.

Results: We identified 32 AMC websites with information on cardiac amyloidosis. The overall median reading level was 11.3 (IQR 10.5 – 11.9). There was no significant correlation between readability scores and word count (r2= 0.00, p = 0.95), Google ranking (r2 = 0.021, p = 0.42), or U.S. News ranking (r2 = 0.013, p = 0.65). This indicates that the readability of the materials is independent of text length and AMC authority.

Conclusion: This study is the first to examine the readability of patient educational materials on cardiac amyloidosis. The 32 AMC websites had a median reading grade level of 11.3, which does not meet the NIH readability standard. The lack of significant correlation between readability and Google or U.S. News rankings suggests that AMC status does not affect communication effectiveness. The absence of a relationship between word count and readability highlights the need for better content quality. There is a critical shortage of accessible patient education materials on cardiac amyloidosis. Providing materials that meet NIH readability standards is essential to alleviate patient anxieties and improve adherence to treatment protocols. Academic medical centers, along with cardiology and oncology groups, should ensure patient education materials are both accessible and informative, enhancing patient outcomes and quality of life.