National surveys of U.S. adults have observed significant increases in health-related internet use (HRIU), but there are documented disparities. The study aims to identify social and demographic patterns of health-related internet use among U.S. adults. Using data from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) 4 cycle 3 and HINTS 5 cycle 1, we examined HRIU across healthcare, health information seeking, and participation on social media. Primary predictors were gender, race/ethnicity, age, education, income, and nativity with adjustments for smoking and survey year. We used multivariable logistic regression with survey weights to identify independent predictors of HRIU. Of the 4817 respondents, 43% had used the internet to find a doctor; 80% had looked online for health information. Only 20% had used social media for a health issue; 7% participated in an online health support group. In multivariable models, older and low SES participants were significantly less likely to use the internet to look for a provider, use the internet to look for health information for themselves or someone else, and less likely to use social media for health issues. Use of the internet for health-related purposes is vast but varies significantly by demographics and intended use.

Objective: Critical illness causes a decrease in serum free triiodothyronine (T₃) levels. This condition, known as nonthyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS), is associated with poor outcomes. The association of NTIS and outcomes in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) requiring mechanical ventilation has not been well studied. This study aimed to determine the impact of NTIS on the outcomes of these patients. Methods: This prospective study included 162 patients in the ICU who underwent mechanical ventilation. Serum free T₃ levels were tested on the day of initiation of mechanical ventilation. The rates of in-hospital mortality and ventilator-free days (VFDs) at day 28 after the initiation of mechanical ventilation were compared between patients with low (<2.3 pg/mL) and normal (≥2.3 pg/mL) free T₃ levels. Patients who died while on mechanical ventilation were assigned a VFD of 0. Results: Low T₃ was present in 60% of study patients. The in-hospital mortality rate of the entire cohort was 39%, and the mean and median VFDs at day 28 were 13.5 and 21 days, respectively. Compared to patients with normal free T₃, patients with low free T₃ had higher in-hospital mortality (52% vs 19%, P < .001) and less mean and median VFDs at day 28 (10.7 vs 18 and 0 vs 23, respectively. P < .001 for both mean and median VFDs). Conclusions: The presence of low T₃ due to NTIS in patients in the ICU requiring mechanical ventilation is associated with poor outcomes.