1.Coeliac disease knowledge and treatment: Potential factors associated with adherence to gluten-free diet
Najla Alorayyidh ; Maram H. Alswaji ; Elham Almujammay ; Bander Alhujairy ; Nada Benajiba ; Abeer Salman Alzaben
Malaysian Journal of Nutrition 2023;29(No.1):51-62
Introduction: Lack of adherence to a strict gluten-free diet (GFD) is the main
reason for poorly controlled disease in patients with coeliac disease (CD). This study
aimed to assess the association between knowledge of CD and its medical diet to the
adherence of GFD among adult patients with CD. Methods: A cross-sectional study
was carried out with a total of 90 adult patients with CD (aged between 18-65 years).
The data collecting instruments were a combination of four questionnaires as follows:
assessment of knowledge of coeliac disease (AKCD), gluten-free diet knowledge scale
(GFD-KS), coeliac disease adherence test (CDAT), and questions on potential factors
influencing GFD adherence among patients. Results: An average knowledge score
of five points out of seven was obtained from 46 participants (51%). Mean score for
knowledge on gluten-free diet was seven points out of 17 in 59 participants (65%).
Adequate adherence to GFD was observed in 56% of the participants. No association
was found between knowledge of CD and GFD to the adherence of GFD (p>0.050).
Participants who had higher adherence scores were discussing GFD with a specialist,
obtaining educational materials, had enhanced symptoms associated with CD, and
did not complain about the taste of GFD (p<0.050). Conclusion: Patients with CD
has adequate knowledge of CD and adherence of GFD. No association was found
between the knowledge of CD and GFD to the adherence of GFD. Further research
might explore other potential factors influencing the adherence to GFD.