title: The impact of a gluten-free diet on adults with coeliac disease: results of a national survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE We sought to evaluate the impact of the gluten-free diet on the 5,240 members of the Canadian Celiac Association (CCA). Data are presented on 2,681 adults (>or=16 years) with biopsy-proven celiac disease (CD).
  
  
  METHODS
  A mail-out survey was used. Quality of life was evaluated using the 'SF12', and celiac-specific questions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age was 56 years, mean age at diagnosis was 45 years, and 75% were female. The 'SF12' summary scores were similar to normative Canadian data, but were significantly lower for females and newly diagnosed patients. Respondents reported: following a gluten-free (GF) diet (90%), improvement on the diet (83%), and difficulties following the diet (44%), which included: determining if foods were GF (85%), finding GF foods in stores (83%), avoiding restaurants (79%), and avoiding travel (38%). Most common reactions to consumed gluten (among 73%) included pain, diarrhea, bloating, fatigue, nausea, and headache. Excellent information on CD and its treatment was provided by the CCA (64%), gastroenterologists (28%), dietitians (26%) and family doctor (12%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Quality of life in those with CD could be increased with early diagnosis, increased availability of gluten-free foods, improved food labelling, and better dietary instruction. Education of physicians and dietitians about CD and its treatment is essential.
authors.affiliation: Canadian Celiac Association, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada. czarkadas@sympatico.ca
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zarkadas
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cranney
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Case
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Molloy
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Switzer
authors.forename: I D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Butzner
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rashid
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Burrows
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005515:Food Labeling / Q000592:standards; D005983:Glutens / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005983:Glutens