Primary Care Cyberchondria: Is Health-Related Internet Use More Determinant Than Chronic Disease Status? A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the association between cyberchondria levels and the presence of chronic disease among adults attending a family medicine outpatient clinic of a university hospital, and to examine sociodemographic and behavioral factors potentially related to cyberchondria, with a particular focus on the frequency of health-related internet use. Methods This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted between April and September 2024 in the family medicine outpatient clinic of a university hospital. A total of 256 adults aged 18 years or older who used the internet were included in the study (128 with chronic disease and 128 without). Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a sociodemographic data form and the Cyberchondria Severity Scale. Statistical analyses included independent-samples t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, chi-square tests, and Pearson correlation analyses. Results No statistically significant differences were found between individuals with and without chronic disease in terms of total Cyberchondria Severity Scale scores or subscale scores (p > 0.05). In contrast, a higher frequency of health-related internet use was significantly associated with higher levels of cyberchondria (p < 0.001). This association was observed consistently in both individuals with and without chronic disease. No significant associations were identified between cyberchondria levels and age, sex, marital status, income level, or employment status. Conclusion This study indicates that cyberchondria levels among adults attending primary care services are independent of chronic disease status, but are strongly associated with the frequency of health-related internet use. The findings suggest that cyberchondria is more closely related to digital health information-seeking behaviors than to disease status itself. In primary care settings, assessing patients’ health-related internet use habits and providing appropriate guidance may help reduce unnecessary health-related anxiety and healthcare utilization associated with cyberchondria.