Table 2.
Quality scores for the websites describing pancreatic cysts (DISCERN questionnaire, 1-5 points for each question).
| Ordera | Cancer riskb | Is the publication reliable? Questions #1-8 Average (1-5 points)c | Quality of information on treatment choices, Questions #9-15 Average (1-5 points)d | Overall quality, Q#16 (1-5 points)e | Total score (Q#1-16)f | Reference |
| 1st | Yes | 3.3 | 2.1 | 3.5 | 45.5 | [14] |
| 2nd | Yes | 2.3 | 3.2 | 3.5 | 44.5 | [15] |
| 3rd | Yes | 2.6 | 2.0 | 3 | 37.5 | [16] |
| 5th | Yes | 2.9 | 1.8 | 2.5 | 38.0 | [17] |
| 6th | Yes | 1.7 | 2.8 | 2 | 35.0 | [18] |
| 7th | Yes | 2.1 | 1.9 | 2.5 | 32.5 | [19] |
| 8th | Yes | 2.6 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 37.0 | [20] |
| 9th | Yes | 2.4 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 40.0 | [21] |
| 10th | Yes | 2.5 | 2.3 | 2.5 | 38.5 | [22] |
| 11th | Yes | 3.6 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 38.0 | [23] |
| 12th | Yes | 2.6 | 3.2 | 3 | 46.0 | [24] |
| 14th | Yes | 2.1 | 3.2 | 3.5 | 42.5 | [25] |
| 15th | Yes | 2.0 | 2.4 | 2.5 | 35.0 | [26] |
| 16th | Yes | 4.1 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 65.5 | [27] |
| 17th | Yes | 3.5 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 63.0 | [28] |
| 18th | Yes | 2.2 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 34.0 | [29] |
| 20th | Yes | 2.1 | 1.8 | 2 | 31.0 | [30] |
| 22nd | Yes | 3.1 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 41.0 | [31] |
| 24th | Yes | 3.3 | 2.4 | 2 | 45.0 | [32] |
| 29th | Yes | 2.0 | 1.9 | 2.5 | 32.0 | [33] |
| 30th | No | 1.6 | 1.6 | 2 | 26.0 | [34] |
aOrder of appearance. Seven websites did not meet the inclusion criteria: 4th (requires payment); 13th, 23rd, and 27th (not intended for the general public); and 19th, 21st, and 25th (require payment and not intended for the general public).
bDid the website mention the risk of pancreatic cancer associated with pancreatic cysts?
cAverage reliability of the publications=2.3.
dAverage quality of the publications=2.4.
eAverage overall quality=2.8.
fAverage total score=40.4.