Celiac Disease: An Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guideline

Quality of Life in Children with Celiac Disease: An Observational Study

Background/Objectives: Celiac disease (CD) is one of the most common chronic autoimmune disorders affecting children worldwide. The aim is to explore the significance of quality of life (QOL) research in pediatric CD, highlighting the importance of assessing both physical and psychosocial aspects of well-being. Materials and Methods: The study used a self-administered questionnaire, which consisted of questions on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, as well as a general assessment of the QOL by using the validated PedsQL™ 4.0. Results: Dietary restrictions were associated with social challenges, as reported by 43% of respondents who indicated their child had experienced exclusion or distress during family gatherings, while 48% encountered difficulties in the school setting. The overall QOL score had a mean of 68.9 (SD = 15.00), with a median of 67.4, and ranged from 41.3 to 100.0, reflecting individual variations in perceived well-being. Age is a significant factor influencing children's social interactions and experiences within educational settings, likely due to increased academic demands, social pressures, or developmental changes. Conclusions: The study suggests that the study factor significantly influences physical functioning and overall quality of life, while its impact on emotional, social, and school domains is comparatively lower.

Dietary assessments in individuals living with coeliac disease: key considerations

BACKGROUND

Coeliac disease (CeD) is a type of enteropathy characterised by an immune-mediated reaction to ingested gluten, resulting in impaired absorption of nutrients and symptoms such as bloating, abdominal cramping and diarrhoea. Currently, the only treatment for CeD is adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD). The latest draft guidance from the US Food and Drug Administration recommends that dietitians experienced in CeD management evaluate patients during the screening and treatment period of CeD clinical trials to assess adherence to a GFD. However, there are currently no standardised guidelines on dietary assessment of patients with CeD on a GFD and there is a lack of widespread availability of expertise in this field.

METHODS

Based on the findings of a literature review conducted between April and September 2023, this article provides an overview of key points to consider in the nutritional and dietary assessment of patients with CeD who are following a GFD, with particular focus on the clinical trial setting.

RESULTS

Based on a consensus from dietitians and gastroenterologists experienced in treating patients with CeD, we present specific recommendations for registered dietitians who manage patients with CeD. We also describe the development of a simplified tool for assessment of adherence to a GFD, the Gluten-Free Adherence Survey, based on these recommendations.

CONCLUSIONS

These guidelines cover nutritional and dietary assessment of patients with CeD, physical assessments, intake of oats, environmental considerations and the disease burden.

Celiac Disease: Beyond Diet and Food Awareness

Celiac disease is attributable to a combination of genetic predisposition and exposure to dietary gluten, with immune system involvement. The incidence is increasing globally, and the societal economic burden of celiac disease stretches beyond the cost of gluten-free food. This enteropathy that affects the small intestine has been related to different disorders and comorbidities. Thus, the implications of suffering from this disease are multidimensional and need further consideration. Celiac disease is a serious condition that remains under-recognized, resulting in an increased need for programs for better management. This review aims to summarize the current evidence regarding celiac diseases, with special emphasis on clinical implications, diagnosis, dietary management, socioeconomical aspects, and future perspectives.

Celiac disease: Guideline update overview

ABSTRACT

The American College of Gastroenterology revised its recommendations for diagnosing and managing celiac disease in its updated 2023 clinical guideline. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder causing malabsorption following exposure to gluten. A wide range of both gastrointestinal and nongastrointestinal signs and symptoms can occur. This article provides an overview of the diagnosis and management of celiac disease, aiding the NP in developing a greater awareness of the condition both to diagnose it and to refer patients as needed to gastroenterology for evaluation.

Monitoring the Quality of Life and the Relationship between Quality of Life, Dietary Intervention, and Dietary Adherence in Patients with Coeliac Disease

Inadequate adherence to a gluten-free diet in coeliac disease triggers autoimmune reactions and can reduce the quality of life. The strict diet requires constant vigilance, which can cause psychological distress. Our research aimed to assess the quality of life in adult patients with coeliac disease and to find a correlation between quality of life, dietary intervention, and adherence. The study included 51 adult patients with coeliac disease who completed a quality-of-life questionnaire. Adherence was assessed using serological tests and a dietary adherence test. The patients were divided into two groups: those on a gluten-free diet for at least three months (Group I) and newly diagnosed patients (Group II). Group I showed a significant decrease in the dysphoria subscale of the quality-of-life test between the first and last surveys. Poor quality of life was associated with worse adherence in Group II. A higher "Health concerns" quality of life subscale score was also associated with worse adherence in Group II. Our results suggest that dietetic care may be beneficial for patients with coeliac disease by reducing dysphoria. We recommend regular and long-term dietary monitoring from diagnosis to ensure adherence to a gluten-free diet and to maintain quality of life.

Nutrition Assessment and Management in Celiac Disease

Celiac disease (CeD) is the most common immune condition affecting the gastrointestinal tract; it is triggered by gluten and the only available treatment is a strict gluten-free diet (GFD). Therefore, for patients with CeD, adopting a GFD is not a lifestyle choice. The major problem is that a GFD is restrictive and, like all restrictive diets, it has the potential for adverse nutritional outcomes, especially if adopted for a long term. It is well known that GFD can be nutritionally inadequate and is frequently associated with vitamin and mineral deficiencies; it is also associated with excessive sugar and fat intake, particularly when gluten-free substitutes are consumed. Consequently, people with CeD are affected by higher rates of overweight and obesity and metabolic complications, such as fatty liver and cardiovascular disease. Therefore, assessment of nutritional status and diet quality at diagnosis and while on a long-term GFD is key in the management of CeD. This narrative review addresses nutritional considerations in CeD and management of common challenges associated with a GFD.

Health-related quality of life among celiacs in Portugal: a comparison between general and specific questionnaires

Objective

This study aimed to compare the 36-Item Short Form Survey Instrument version 2 (SF-36-v2) (generic) and Celiac Disease Questionnaire (CDQ) (specific) questionnaires used to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) in celiac Portuguese adult individuals.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used non-probabilistic sampling based on Portuguese celiac patients who accessed the online survey in 2022. The online data collection used a self-reported instrument composed of three parts: (i) socioeconomic, health, and gluten-free diet (GFD) adherence questions; (ii) SF-36 v2 - Portuguese version (generic questionnaire) and (iii) Celiac Disease Questionnaire (CDQ) (specific questionnaire).

Results

A total of 234 individuals who accessed the survey completed the questionnaire. Seven of the eight SF-36 domains positively correlated to the specific questionnaire CDQ. The "General Health" domain (domain 4) showed a negative correlation with the CDQ. Differences in content between the two instruments might be able to explain this finding since the CDQ explores issues regarding the specificities of celiac disease (CD) and the lifelong GFD burden. About half of the sample from this study displayed poor diet adherence, it is possible that the SF-36 could not reflect the impact of CD treatment - the complete elimination of gluten from the diet - on patients' health. Therefore, this issue should be carefully evaluated in future research.

Conclusion

Specific validated questionnaires for CD individuals, such as the CDQ, contemplate social, economic, and clinical variables that permeate the patient's life context. Therefore, these instruments may be more suitable for evaluating QoL in this public. However, using a general questionnaire such as the SF-36 would be indicated for comparing QOL between celiac patients and the general population or even between CD and other disease individuals. In this case, we recommend assessing GFD compliance for control parallelly.