Clinical Research
Copyright ©2008 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jan 7, 2008; 14(1): 46-52
Published online Jan 7, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.46
Factors that impact health-related quality of life in adults with celiac disease: A multicenter study
F Casellas, L Rodrigo, J López Vivancos, S Riestra, C Pantiga, JS Baudet, F Junquera, V Puig Diví, C Abadia, M Papo, J Gelabert, JR Malagelada
F Casellas, JR Malagelada, Digestive System Research Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d’ Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
L Rodrigo, S Riestra, C Pantiga, Digestive System Research Unit, Hospital Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
J López Vivancos, Digestive System Research Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital General de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
JS Baudet, Digestive System Research Unit, Hospital Virgen de la Candelaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
F Junquera, V Puig Diví, Digestive System Research Unit, Corporació Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Spain
C Abadia, M Papo, Digestive System Research Unit, Hospital Joan XXIII, Tarragona, Spain
J Gelabert, Digestive System Research Unit, Hospital Verge del Toro, Menorca, Spain
Correspondence to: Dr. Francesc Casellas, Digestive System Research Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Pg. Vall d’Hebron 119-129, Barcelona 08035, Spain. fcasellas@vhebron.net
Telephone: +34-932-746156
Fax: +34-934-894456
Received: August 24, 2007
Revised: September 15, 2007
Published online: January 7, 2008
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the factors involved in the impairment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with celiac disease.

METHODS: A multicenter, cross-sectional prospective study was performed in patients with celiac disease who completed two HRQOL questionnaires: the gastrointestinal quality of life index (GIQLI) and the EuroQol-5D (EQ).

RESULTS: Three hundred and forty patients (163 controlled with a gluten-free diet, and 177 newly diagnosed with a normal diet) were included. The GIQLI score was significantly better in patients on a gluten-free diet (GFD) than in non-treated patients on their usual diet, both in terms of the overall score (3.3 vs 2.7, respectively; P < 0.001), as well as on the individual questionnaire dimensions. Both the preference value of the EQ as the visual analogue scale were significantly better in treated than in non-treated patients (0.93 vs 0.72, P < 0.001 and 80 vs 70, P < 0.001, respectively). Variables significantly associated with a worse HRQOL score were female gender, failure to adhere to a GFD, and symptomatic status.

CONCLUSION: In untreated celiac disease, the most important factors that influence patient perception of health are the presence of symptoms and a normal diet. HRQOL improves to levels similar to those described in the general population in celiac disease patients well controlled with a GFD.

Keywords: Celiac disease; Health status; Quality of life; Gluten-free diet