Status and quality of life of people with celiac and people on a gluten-free diet

Celiac disease is defined as an autoimmune disorder that is the result of a reaction of adaptive immune response of sensitive individuals, to gluten-containing cereals. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional habits of patients with the diagnosis and people without the diagnosis, to evaluate the importance of adhering to a strict gluten-free diet, recognizing properly declared gluten-free products and to assess the quality of life of people diagnosed with celiac disease. Anthropometric and dietary tests were conducted through a survey by a total of 96 people, 56 respondents were diagnosed with celiac disease, while the remaining 40 respondents were undiagnosed, and of whom 32 were on a gluten-free diet. The majority of respondents (58.92%) have an adequate level of nutrition; however, 30.37% of respondents are overweight, including the degree of obesity in four cases. The most consumed cereals are rice, corn and white ready-made gluten-free flour mixtures, while the respondents consume the least pseudo-cereals, whole grains and micro-cereals. Within the survey CD-QOL (Celiac Disease Quality of Life) we assessed the quality of life, general the attitude of patients according to the given claims related to celiac disease. The obtained results led us to the conclusion that the dietary habits of celiac patients are somewhat worse than those of the undiagnosed group, although these are very small differences. It has been found that there is some confusion among people diagnosed regarding properly declared and certified gluten-free products, while most respondents believe that a strict gluten-free diet is the only effective treatment for the disease.