Impact of gluten-free diet on quality of life in celiac patients.

Background and study aims : Celiac disease (CD) is a common gluten-related disorder, whose only treatment is a gluten-free diet (GFD). Since a unique view on psychological consequences of a GFD still lacks, our aim was to assess the quality of life (QoL) and the depression state in symptomatic CD patients after GFD. Socio- demographic features were considered. Patients and methods : 210 adult CD patients were recruited and divided into 3 groups : 70 newly diagnosed patients (Group A),70 patients who have been on GFD for 6-12 months (Group B), and 70 patients who have been on GFD for more than 12 months (Group C). We recruited 210 healthy controls (Group D). Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) questionnaires were administered. Each group was evaluated according to age, gender and school ranking. Results : Groups A and B showed lower PGWBI scores compared with both Group C and D (p <0.001 for each comparison). Moreover, Groups A and B showed higher BDI scores compared with both Group C and D (p <0.001 for each comparison). Women, the elderly and the poorly educated seemed to suffer more psychological stress. Conclusions : GFD induces an improvement of well-being and a decrease of depression state after 12 months of strict GFD. Negative psychological implications were observed only in specific risk categories. (Acta gastroenterol. belg., 2016, 79, 447-453).