Twitter used as a lifeline for coeliac sufferers

A researcher at the University of Warwick has shown how Twitter can aid those with coeliac disease.

Sam Martin, a PhD student at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Methodologies (CIM) has used data mining techniques to cast a light on a previously unknown online network of coeliacs.

Martin analysed over 1,800 messages per hour on Twitter, which were posted within a 15 kilometre radius of herself while she was in New York. She conducted the same research in London.

Martin identified a network discussing the availability of gluten-free food, making it easier for coeliacs like herself to easily identify places where they can purchase gluten-free food.

She found that the network provided crucial information on finding gluten-free food, managing symptoms and avoiding cross-contamination.

The network is formed by coeliacs for coeliacs, and is always growing through the use of hashtags such as #coeliac and #glutenfree.

Coeliac disease is a relatively common digestive condition by which people have an adverse reaction to gluten. Symptoms can include abdominal pain and fatigue.

Martin says that as she had previously lived in London, she “[knows] how hard it is to find places that provide gluten-free food while on the move”.

She commented: “It was only when I started using data mining techniques on Twitter that I began to fully understand how many other people there are out there like me.”

Her research involved “using co-word and sentiment analysis…to quantify to what extent patients use social networking as a knowledge-finding, decision-making or risk aversion tool.”

She added that she subsequently “used the information obtained to then visualise the flow of patient interaction by creating virtual maps that compared behaviour in [London and New York].”

Martin’s background in web development and data visualisation aided her in producing smartphone applications that allow users to identify gluten-free cafes and restaurants in London and Paris. She has also developed a smartphone game entitled “Coeliac Sam”.

Martin’s research and smartphone app development can also help those with diabetes or other allergies to manage their dietary requirements.

She hopes to take her findings to the next level, and is “currently working on producing a toolkit of information which will assist people with other conditions.”

In order to keep up to date with Sam Martin’s work, visit www.digitalcoeliac.com.