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. 2022 Mar 31:1:100037.
doi: 10.1016/j.pecinn.2022.100037. eCollection 2022 Dec.

The gluten-free diet challenge in adults with coeliac disease: the Hellenic survey

Spyridaki Aspasia  1 , Kotsoni Emmanuela-Kalliopi  1 , Thalassinos Nikolaos  1 , Sfakianaki Eirini  1 , Sfendourakis Ioannis  1 , Markaki Anastasia  1
Affiliations

The gluten-free diet challenge in adults with coeliac disease: the Hellenic survey

Spyridaki Aspasia et al. PEC Innov. .

Abstract

Objective: The only available treatment for coeliac disease (CD) is a lifelong strict gluten-free diet (GFD), which can be extremely challenging. Τhe aim of the present study was to gain an insight into patients' perceptions regarding the GFD, in relation to difficulties experienced, disease-specific symptoms, adherence level, and information sources used.

Methods: Two hundred ninety CD patients (247 women and 43 men) aged 18-74 years, completed a self-administered questionnaire.

Results: Self-rated dietary adherence was high in 65.5%, moderate in 27.5% and poor in 6.9% of the patients. The main difficulties encountered were the high cost and limited availability of GF foods and meals in markets and restaurants. The main source of information concerning CD and GFD was the internet, and the most useful source was the Coeliac Society. Dietary adherence correlated positively with Coeliac Society membership and awareness of the monthly CD allowance.

Conclusion: Α substantial proportion of patients did not adhere to a strict GFD. Patients were not adequately followed-up.

Innovation: A self-administered questionnaire was used to explore the practical challenges of a GFD in an understudied population, Greek adult coeliac patients. The results highlighted the need for dietitians with expertise on CD.

Keywords: Coeliac disease; dietary adherence; gluten-free diet; information sources.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Perceived usefulness of information about coeliac disease and gluten-free diet according to source. CD: Coeliac disease.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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