Mário Ribeiro, Adriana Romano, Diana Rita Oliveira, Joana Vilaça and Filipa Neiva
Background: Adherence to a gluten-free diet is essential for managing celiac disease and improving health outcomes. Beyond clinical control, understanding the impact of the disease and its treatment on quality of life is increasingly relevant, particularly in pediatric populations.
Methods: We evaluated quality of life in 30 children and adolescents with celiac disease (24 females, 6 males), aged 8-17 years (median 11 years). All participants were on a strict gluten-free diet with no reported adherence errors. The validated DISABKIDS-37 questionnaire was applied.
Results: Most participants reported positive perceptions of life and confidence in their future. Half of the patients answered “Always” satisfied with life, and 60% reported “Often” feeling confident about their future. However, difficulties were noted in daily activities, with many answering “Sometimes” or “Often” when asked if they could do everything they wanted despite their condition. Gender differences were minimal, although girls reported slightly more challenges. Younger children tended to be more optimistic, while older participants showed more varied responses.
Conclusions: Children and adolescents with celiac disease generally report good quality of life under strict dietary control. Some still experience limitations in daily activities, especially older patients. These findings underline the importance of continuous support to promote well-being beyond dietary management.
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