Celiac Disease: From Adherence to Gluten-Free Diet to Health-Related Quality of Life

Background: Celiac disease (CD) is a genetic and immune-mediated disorder in which eating gluten reduces intestinal absorption and damages the mucosa and villi of the small intestine. This study was designed to investigate adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD) and health-related quality of life (QOL). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 122 patients with CD in Qom in 2023. Sampling was performed in an easy and accessible way from celiac patients. The research tool was a researcher-made questionnaire. The obtained data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistical tests using SPSS 23. Results: The average age of the patients was 37.57±9.59 years, and 93% had a GFD. Gastrointestinal symptoms demonstrated a positive and significant correlation with GFD, age, marital status, and QOL (P<0.001). The percentage of patients’ QOL scores (39.57%) was lower than the average. Adherence to a GFD could predict favorable changes in patients’ QOL (β=0.71, P<0.001), and CD predicted gastrointestinal symptoms (β=0.64, P<0.001). The study model showed a good fit based on two important indicators of good model fit (χ2 /pdf=2.14 and RMSEA=0.069). Conclusion: The results revealed that better adherence to the GFD leads to a better clinical response and a decrease in gastrointestinal symptoms, thereby improving the QOL of celiac patients.