Evaluation of Quality of Life in Adult Celiac Patients Living in Lithuania and Their Compliance with a Gluten-Free Diet: A Pilot Study

<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Celiac disease (CD) is a common gluten-related disorder associated with significantly worsened quality of life. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the quality of life of adult celiac patients living in Lithuania and their compliance with a glute...

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Main Authors: Yeliz Serin, Jurgita Andruškienė, Anil K. Verma, Monika Śmiełowska, Nerijus Dzingelevičius, Albinas Vilčiauskis, Rita Vaičekauskaitė, Vijolė Bradauskienė, Bogusław Buszewski, Reda Dzingelevičienė
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Medicina
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/7/1278
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author Yeliz Serin
Jurgita Andruškienė
Anil K. Verma
Monika Śmiełowska
Nerijus Dzingelevičius
Albinas Vilčiauskis
Rita Vaičekauskaitė
Vijolė Bradauskienė
Bogusław Buszewski
Reda Dzingelevičienė
author_facet Yeliz Serin
Jurgita Andruškienė
Anil K. Verma
Monika Śmiełowska
Nerijus Dzingelevičius
Albinas Vilčiauskis
Rita Vaičekauskaitė
Vijolė Bradauskienė
Bogusław Buszewski
Reda Dzingelevičienė
author_sort Yeliz Serin
collection DOAJ
description <i>Background and Objectives</i>: Celiac disease (CD) is a common gluten-related disorder associated with significantly worsened quality of life. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the quality of life of adult celiac patients living in Lithuania and their compliance with a gluten-free diet. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: This cross-sectional study was conducted on individuals aged 18 to 75 years diagnosed with CD and residing within the borders of Lithuania. This pilot study involved 73 participants, comprising 68 females and 5 males. The CD Specific Quality of Life Scale (CD-QOL) consisted of 20 items across four sub-dimensions. Responses to scale items were graded with a score ranging from 1 (not at all) to 5 (very much). The total score obtained from the scale can range up to 100, with a score < 40 classified as poor, 40–50 as moderate, and > 50 as good quality of life. Additionally, ten questions related to gluten-free diet-related quality of life were used. <i>Results</i>: The mean age of diagnosis for females (32.6 ± 11.7) was higher than that for males (22.0 ± 12.1), <i>p</i> < 0.05. The mean self-reported BMI for males (25.8 ± 4.5) was higher than that for females (22.3 ± 5.2), <i>p</i> < 0.05. The mean quality-of-life score (66.4 ± 12.5) was significantly higher in the good quality-of-life group compared to the poor group (33.7 ± 3.9), <i>p</i> < 0.001. Half of the respondents (50.7%) reported that gluten-free products are expensive, and 45.2% confirmed difficulties in dining out on a gluten-free diet. <i>Conclusions</i>: The results of this pilot study indicate that CD is associated with a worsened quality of life and that compliance with a gluten-free diet is primarily influenced by economic factors, such as the high cost of the diet.
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spelling doaj-art-91ad566ca1574d6784814dbf6af5de212025-08-20T03:58:30ZengMDPI AGMedicina1010-660X1648-91442025-07-01617127810.3390/medicina61071278Evaluation of Quality of Life in Adult Celiac Patients Living in Lithuania and Their Compliance with a Gluten-Free Diet: A Pilot StudyYeliz Serin0Jurgita Andruškienė1Anil K. Verma2Monika Śmiełowska3Nerijus Dzingelevičius4Albinas Vilčiauskis5Rita Vaičekauskaitė6Vijolė Bradauskienė7Bogusław Buszewski8Reda Dzingelevičienė9Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Cukurova University, Adana 01330, TürkiyeFaculty of Health Science, Klaipeda University, H. Manto Str. 84, 92294 Klaipeda, LithuaniaDepartment of Medicine, Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, CanadaFaculty of Health Science, Klaipeda University, H. Manto Str. 84, 92294 Klaipeda, LithuaniaFaculty of Technologies, Klaipėdos Valstybinė Kolegija/Higher Education Institution, Bijūnų Str. 10, 91223 Klaipeda, LithuaniaAcademy of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, A. Mickevičiaus Str. 9, 44307 Kaunas, LithuaniaFaculty of Health Science, Klaipeda University, H. Manto Str. 84, 92294 Klaipeda, LithuaniaFaculty of Technologies, Klaipėdos Valstybinė Kolegija/Higher Education Institution, Bijūnų Str. 10, 91223 Klaipeda, LithuaniaFaculty of Health Science, Klaipeda University, H. Manto Str. 84, 92294 Klaipeda, LithuaniaFaculty of Health Science, Klaipeda University, H. Manto Str. 84, 92294 Klaipeda, Lithuania<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Celiac disease (CD) is a common gluten-related disorder associated with significantly worsened quality of life. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the quality of life of adult celiac patients living in Lithuania and their compliance with a gluten-free diet. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: This cross-sectional study was conducted on individuals aged 18 to 75 years diagnosed with CD and residing within the borders of Lithuania. This pilot study involved 73 participants, comprising 68 females and 5 males. The CD Specific Quality of Life Scale (CD-QOL) consisted of 20 items across four sub-dimensions. Responses to scale items were graded with a score ranging from 1 (not at all) to 5 (very much). The total score obtained from the scale can range up to 100, with a score < 40 classified as poor, 40–50 as moderate, and > 50 as good quality of life. Additionally, ten questions related to gluten-free diet-related quality of life were used. <i>Results</i>: The mean age of diagnosis for females (32.6 ± 11.7) was higher than that for males (22.0 ± 12.1), <i>p</i> < 0.05. The mean self-reported BMI for males (25.8 ± 4.5) was higher than that for females (22.3 ± 5.2), <i>p</i> < 0.05. The mean quality-of-life score (66.4 ± 12.5) was significantly higher in the good quality-of-life group compared to the poor group (33.7 ± 3.9), <i>p</i> < 0.001. Half of the respondents (50.7%) reported that gluten-free products are expensive, and 45.2% confirmed difficulties in dining out on a gluten-free diet. <i>Conclusions</i>: The results of this pilot study indicate that CD is associated with a worsened quality of life and that compliance with a gluten-free diet is primarily influenced by economic factors, such as the high cost of the diet.https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/7/1278celiac diseasequality of lifegluten-free diet
spellingShingle Yeliz Serin
Jurgita Andruškienė
Anil K. Verma
Monika Śmiełowska
Nerijus Dzingelevičius
Albinas Vilčiauskis
Rita Vaičekauskaitė
Vijolė Bradauskienė
Bogusław Buszewski
Reda Dzingelevičienė
Evaluation of Quality of Life in Adult Celiac Patients Living in Lithuania and Their Compliance with a Gluten-Free Diet: A Pilot Study
Medicina
celiac disease
quality of life
gluten-free diet
title Evaluation of Quality of Life in Adult Celiac Patients Living in Lithuania and Their Compliance with a Gluten-Free Diet: A Pilot Study
title_full Evaluation of Quality of Life in Adult Celiac Patients Living in Lithuania and Their Compliance with a Gluten-Free Diet: A Pilot Study
title_fullStr Evaluation of Quality of Life in Adult Celiac Patients Living in Lithuania and Their Compliance with a Gluten-Free Diet: A Pilot Study
title_full_unstemmed Evaluation of Quality of Life in Adult Celiac Patients Living in Lithuania and Their Compliance with a Gluten-Free Diet: A Pilot Study
title_short Evaluation of Quality of Life in Adult Celiac Patients Living in Lithuania and Their Compliance with a Gluten-Free Diet: A Pilot Study
title_sort evaluation of quality of life in adult celiac patients living in lithuania and their compliance with a gluten free diet a pilot study
topic celiac disease
quality of life
gluten-free diet
url https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/7/1278
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