Better Quality of Life Associated with Compliance with Gluten-Free Diet in Celiac Disease

Celiac.com 01/21/2023 - Celiac disease is a chronic autoimmune disorder that occurs in genetically predisposed individuals, causing damage to the small intestine when gluten is consumed. The only treatment option currently available is a strict, long-term gluten-free diet, which can be restrictive, socially limiting, and costly. In a recent study, researchers aimed to identify the factors associated with a better quality of life in a large group of French celiac disease patients.

The study, conducted between January and March 2016, surveyed celiac disease patients who were 15 years or older and self-reported as having an official diagnosis of celiac disease. Information about the study along with a link to an online questionnaire were sent via email to the members of the French Association of Gluten Intolerant People (AFDIAG). The online questionnaire included both demographic and clinical data, the French version of the “Celiac Disease Questionnaire” (F-celiac diseaseQ), along with information on gluten-free purchasing and consumption habits.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A12):
The results of the study showed that out of the 4,000 patients who were contacted, 907 (23%) or them responded to the questionnaire, and 787 (20%) of them were included in the final analysis. The population included was predominantly female (81%) with a median age of 49 years old. The median age at the time of celiac disease diagnosis was 38 years, and the median duration of those who were on a gluten-free diet was 10 years. Seventy-one percent of the patients had a self-assessed dietary compliance rating of more than 8/10 over the prior six months. The dimensions with the best results on the F-celiac diseaseQ questionnaire were “Social” and “Gastrointestinal Symptoms”, while the dimensions with the worst results were “Emotions” and “Worries”.

The study found that the duration of and compliance with a gluten-free diet are major factors that influence the quality of life of patients with celiac disease. These findings have important implications for healthcare providers as they suggest that by taking into consideration the restrictive aspects of the gluten-free diet and working to improve adherence, the management of celiac disease can be improved. Additionally, the study also found that the frequency of follow-up visits was not associated with better compliance or better quality of life, which could be useful for healthcare providers in terms of resource allocation. Overall, this study highlights the importance of considering quality of life in the management of celiac disease and the need for further research in this area.

Read more at mdpi.com