Impacto da doença celíaca na saúde, nas práticas alimentares e na qualidade de vida de celíacos

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2008

RESUMO

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disease triggered by the ingestion of cereals which contain gluten by individuals genetically predisposed who possess immunological factors related to the condition. Treatment is fundamentally diet-related, and consists in the exclusion of gluten. Observance of the diet requires definite changes in the nutritional practices and in the quality of life of those who adopt a therapeutic diet. The aim of this research is to analyze the difficulties related to the nutritional practices experienced and stated by the patients, their health and their quality of life. We have used an adapted questionnaire from a valid instrument, with open, closed and multiple-choice questions (LAMONTAGNE, WEST, GALIBOIS, 2001). We have sent out 172 questionnaires. We have analyzed the instrument variables. We have used the Chi-Square exact test, or the Mantel-Haenszel Chi-Square exact test, to establish the existence of an association among any of the variables. From the 105 subjects, 71,43% are women and 59,05% are adults. The average age is 28,81 years (sd=17,22). 87,62% suffered the symptoms of the disease, but 87,50% was not aware about CD before diagnosis. 82,86% classify their health as excellent or good. 90,38% of those who were interviewed follow, whenever possible, a gluten-free diet. The highest level of concern is related, mainly, with eating out (44,23%), having to read the labels on food packages (50,00%), believing the products are not safe (52,88%) and the lack of alternatives (56,44%). 39,42% of those interviewed say they do not have any problems following the diet, 42,30% say they have little or some difficulty, and 18,27% say they have a lot of difficulty. We have found an association between the difficulty to follow the gluten-free diet and the age of the patients (p=0,0127). Assistance to the patient is vital, in the diagnostic phase as well as in the following treatment, since CD has a strong impact on the life of the patients, jeopardizing their health, their diet and their quality of life.

ASSUNTO(S)

nutricao health doença celíaca celiac disease dieta isenta de glúten nutritional practices gluten-free diet qualidade de vida quality of life saúde práticas alimentares

ACESSO AO ARTIGO

Documentos Relacionados