Impacts of Celiac Disease and the Gluten-Free Diet on the Eating Habits and Quality of Life of Algerian Celiac Patients

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease with manifestations at different levels. It is a disease developed in people with genetic susceptibility and intolerance to certain protein fractions of gluten, a protein found in all forms of wheat, rye and barley and causing villus atrophy. In Algeria, more than 500 000 people have celiac disease and the only treatment for celiac disease is to follow a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet, the objective of our work is to study the eating habits and gluten-free diet of 109 celiac patients residing in Algeria. Methods We carried out a cross-sectional survey using a questionnaire that has two sections: a section on eating habits, a section on frequencies of food consumption. Results Overall, we found that 67.9% of patients strictly followed their diet which led to difficulty in eating out of home and the need to take food while traveling. The difficulties in purchasing gluten-free foods were also mentioned by most patients. In addition, the gluten-free diet interfered with the patients' ability to work and with their social activities. Regarding the diet of our patients, the main foods consumed were vegetables, fruits, pulses, rice, pancakes, eggs, chicken meat and milk. Conclusions The negative effects of celiac disease and the gluten-free diet on patients can be minimized by better patient management, especially by joining associations. Funding Sources The Institute of Nutrition, Food and Agri-Food Technologies, Hospital-University Center CONSTANTINE Benbadis polyclinic el arbi ben mhidi, Polyclinic Filali, Constantine SIDI MABROUK PIDIATRIC EHS Constantine Hospitals.