a b s t r a c t
Background: Few studies investigated factors influencing the quality of life of children with celiac disease
on a gluten-free diet.
Aims: To investigate the impact of the gluten-free diet on the psycho-physical well-being of celiac children.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we interviewed 76 celiac and 143 non-celiac children (2–18 years)
by using a non-disease specific questionnaire (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Test) and we explored
the impact of the diet on social life with an open-ended questionnaire. Scores were compared by Wilcoxon
rank-sum test. A quantile regression analysis was used to evaluate the impact of celiac disease on score
distribution.
Results: No significant differences in quality of life were found between the two groups (total score: 84.1
(81.1–87.2) vs 81.5 (79.7–83.4), median (95% CI), patients and controls respectively, p = 0.4). Treatment
positively affected quality of life in children that showed “intermediate” scores in the Pediatric Quality of
Life Inventory Test. Lowest scores were observed in children reporting a higher number of diet difficulties
or co-morbidities.
Conclusions: Although celiac patients showed an overall good quality of life in comparison with a control
group, by using appropriate analytical methods we elicited specific factors contributing to a lower quality
of life in patients, such as co-morbidities and difficulties with the diet.