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Life challenges and quality of life of people living with coeliac disease: Time of diagnosis matters
Previous research has explored the quality of life among individuals with coeliac disease, but there is limited understanding of emotional shifts and life challenges following diagnosis. This exploratory study by Stroebele‐Benschop et al. (2025) evaluated the emotional effects, daily life challenges, and overall quality of life for people with coeliac disease in Germany. An online survey was carried out to evaluate the challenges of keeping a gluten-free diet when grocery shopping, cooking, eating out, and handling additional time and expenses. The survey also gathered information on time of diagnosis, emotional responses after diagnosis, current adherence to the gluten-free diet, and sociodemographic details. In 2022, participants were collected through websites, newsletters, and social media; 766 out of 1286 responders satisfied the requirements for inclusion. Nearly half of the participants had received a diagnosis more than five years prior, and the majority (93%) were female. Further analysis revealed that the age at diagnosis and time since diagnosis were linked to negative feelings about the illness. Although compliance with the gluten-free diet was high (89%), many reported ongoing challenges in social eating situations such as restaurants, workplaces, and travel. These difficulties persisted over time. The study highlights that adolescents and young adults are particularly vulnerable to negative impacts, and it recommends improved training for healthcare providers and food industry workers, along with psychological support during the first year after diagnosis to enhance quality of life. [NPID: Adherence, coeliac disease, emotions, gluten‐free diet, life challenges, quality of life]
Year: 2025
