Abstract
BackgroundAdherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD) and food insecurity (FI) may influence health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in individuals with celiac disease (CD). This study aimed to investigate the association between adherence to a GFD, FI, and HRQOL in individuals with CD.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 97 adults (mean age: 34 ± 9 years) diagnosed with CD. The participants were on a GFD for more than 6 months. Sociodemographic characteristics and medical history were assessed. Adherence to a GFD, FI, and HRQOL were assessed using validated questionnaires.ResultsMost participants (73%) adhered to a GFD, and 62% were experiencing FI. Individuals with CD faced difficulty in accessing GF foods due to the high cost (90%) and limited availability (79%). The mean overall HRQOL score was 60. Scores on the physical and mental health domains were 69 and 47, respectively. Adherence to a GFD was significantly associated with FI (P = 0.02), while there was no association between adherence to a GFD and HRQOL measures (P > 0.05). Participants facing FI had lower scores in emotional well-being and mental health domains, and overall HRQOL (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe findings of the present study demonstrate that FI influences adherence to a GFD, and that FI is associated with HRQOL in terms of both emotional well-being and mental health.
Highlights
Adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD) and food insecurity (FI) may influence health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in individuals with celiac disease (CD)
Sociodemographic characteristics and medical history One hundred and fifteen participants who were interested in this study were enrolled
Our findings indicated that most participants (73%) were adherent to a GFD, 62% were experiencing mild to severe FI
Summary
Adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD) and food insecurity (FI) may influence health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in individuals with celiac disease (CD). The limited availability of gluten-free products may influence food security among patients with CD attempting to adhere to a GFD [8]. Food security is achieved when all individuals have financial, physical, and social access to adequate food for maintaining nutritional requirements and a healthy life at any given time [15]. Patients with CD may face difficulty due to the higher cost and limited availability of gluten-free foods, which may in turn affect their emotional state and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) [16,17,18,19]. Economic status may influence social and emotional states among patients with CD, leading to lower HRQOL in these domains [21]
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