Influence of online health information and artificial intelligence on decision-making among migraine patients: A multinational cross-sectional study from the MENA region

AimThis study aimed to assess the impact of online health information and AI-based tools on treatment decisions, trust, and care-seeking behaviors among migraine patients in Arab speaking countries from MENA region.MethodsA multinational, cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 4276 adults with migraine across 13 MENA countries. Data collected included sociodemographic characteristics, migraine history, digital health literacy (eHEALS), AI tool usage, and trust in health information sources.ResultsThe mean eHealth literacy score was 29.9 ± 6.2. Overall, 75.6% demonstrated adequate digital health literacy. Neurologists and physicians were the most trusted sources, whereas social media influencers were the least trusted. Approximately one-third of participants reported modifying migraine treatment or delaying medical consultation based on online information. In multivariable analyses, higher trust in online information was strongly associated with delayed medical consultation (aOR 6.48, 95% CI 5.53-7.58, p < 0.001). In contrast, use of AI tools was associated with lower odds of reporting treatment modification based on online advice (aOR 0.29, 95% CI 0.17-0.49, p < 0.001). Higher trust in online information was consistently associated with both delayed care and treatment changes. Younger age, male sex, and active online information-seeking independently predicted AI use.ConclusionDigital health engagement, including trust in online sources and AI tool use, was significantly associated with migraine-related decision behaviors in this multinational MENA cohort. While AI use was linked to more cautious treatment behaviors, higher trust in online information was associated with delayed medical consultation and treatment modification. These findings highlight the importance of strengthening digital health literacy and promoting reliable online resources.