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

Abstract

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.