Abstract
As much as 1% of the gluten-consuming world is gluten-intolerant. New screening methods are increasingly identifying gluten intolerance in individuals previously free from health problems. The often-abrupt major change in diet may adversely affect the patient's quality of life. Our aim was to evaluate self-perceived quality of life in a large cohort of adult celiac patients after at least one year of a gluten-free diet. In all 581 members (410 females) of five regional celiac societies were on a gluten-free regimen for at least one year. In this cross-sectional study, a modified version of the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale was administered to the 581 patients from five Italian regions. Most patients correctly defined celiac disease, and compliance with the gluten-free diet was high, although reporting bias cannot be excluded. Most felt well (83.6% “very well” and “well”); consequently, anxiety and depression scores were low. Happiness also scored low. Most participants did not feel that a gluten-free life differentiated them from the general population. Women and patients diagnosed after 20 years of age had better dietary compliance, but more problems in their social life. Happiness scores were higher in patients diagnosed before 20 years of age. Anxiety and depression were infrequent in this group; however, anxiety was frequently related to feeling different from the general population, and depression to an unsatisfactory sexual life. In conclusion, celiac disease does not appear to be associated to a low level of self-perceived quality of life in members of the Italian Celiac Society.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Troncone R, Greco L, Auricchio S: Gluten-sensitive enteropathy. Pediatri Clin North Am 2:355-373, 1996
Carlsson AK, Axelsson IE, Borulf SK, Bredberg AC, Ivarsson SA: Serological screening for coeliac disease in healthy 2.5-year-old children in Sweden. Pediatrics 107:42-45, 2001
Troncone R, Greco L, Auricchio S: The controversial epidemiology of coeliac disease. Acta Paediatr 89:1-2, 2000
Catassi C, Fanciulli G, D'appello AR, El Asmar R, Rondina C, Fagiani E, Bearzi I, Coppa GV: Antiendomysium versus antigliadin antibodies in screening the general population for coeliac disease. Scand J Gastroenterol 35(7):732-736, 2000
Mustalahti K, Lohiniemi S, Collin P: Improving quality of life of silent coeliac disease patients during gluten-free diet warrants screening. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 31(Suppl 3):Abs 18, 2000
Rodgers C, Johnston S, Watson RGP: Quality of life in coeliac disease and the effect of dietary exclusion of gluten. Eighth International Symposium on Coeliac Disease, Naples April 21–24, 1999, abs 109. Instituto di Scienze dell'Alimentazione, CNR, Italy, p. 267
Ciacci C, Iavarone A, Mazzacca G, De Rosa A: Depressive symtoms in Adult Coeliac Disease. Scand J Gastroenterol 33:247-250, 1998
Hallert C, Astrom J: Psychic disturbances in adult coeliac disease: Psychological findings. Scand J Gastroenterol 17:21-25, 1982
Addolorato G, Stefanini GF, Capristo E, Caputo F, Gasbarrini A, Gasbarrini G: Anxiety and depression in adult untreated celiac subjects and in patients affected by inflammatory bowel disease: a personality “trait” or a reactive illness? Hepatogastroenterology 43:1513-1517, 1996
Hallert C, Granno C, Grant C, Hulten S, Midhagen G, Strom M, Svensson H, Valdimarsson T, Wickestrom T: Quality of life of adult coeliac patients treated for 10 years. Scand J Gastroenterol 33:933-938, 1998
Grech PL, Richards J, McLaren S: Psychological sequelae and quality of life in coeliac disease. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 31(Suppl 3): Abs 6, 2000
Ciacci C, Iavarone A, Siniscalchi M, Romano R, De Rosa A: Psychological dimensions of Coeliac Disease: Toward an integrate approach. Dig Dis Sci 47:2082-2087, 2002
Ventura A, Magazzù G, Greco L: Duration of exposure to gluten and risk for autoimmune disorders in patients with coeliac disease. Gastroenterology 117(2):297-303, 1999
Martinelli, R. Troncone, F. Paparo, P, Torre P, Trapanese E, Fasano C, Lamberti A, Budillon G, Naedone G, Greco L: Celiac disease and unfavorable outcome of pregnancy. Gut 46:332-335, 2000
Holmes GKT: Celiac disease and malignancy. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 24:S20-S24, 1997
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ciacci, C., D'Agate, C., De Rosa, A. et al. Self-Rated Quality of Life in Celiac Disease. Dig Dis Sci 48, 2216–2220 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:DDAS.0000004530.11738.a2
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:DDAS.0000004530.11738.a2