Open AccessDelayed celiac disease diagnosis predisposes to reduced quality of life and incremental use of health care services and medicines: A prospective nationwide study
Author(s) -
Fuchs Valma,
Kurppa Kalle,
Huhtala Heini,
Mäki Markku,
Kekkonen Leila,
Kaukinen Katri
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
ueg journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.667
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 2050-6414
pISSN - 2050-6406
DOI - 10.1177/2050640617751253
Subject(s) - medicine , disease , quality of life (healthcare) , anxiety , residence , marital status , pediatrics , health care , family medicine , psychiatry , environmental health , demography , population , nursing , sociology , economics , economic growth
Background Celiac disease is challenging to recognize, predisposing to long diagnostic delay. Currently, associated factors and significance of the delay remain obscure. Objective The objective of this article is to investigate associated sociodemographic risk factors and health consequences of diagnostic delay in celiac disease. Methods Altogether 611 patients were surveyed at diagnosis and after one year on a gluten‐free diet regarding sociodemographic variables, well‐being and use of medicines and health care services. Quality of life was measured by a validated Psychological General Well‐Being (PGWB) questionnaire. The results were compared between patients with and without delayed (≥3 years) diagnosis. Results A total of 332 (54%) individuals reported a delay of ≥3 years. Associated with the delay were being a student or homemaker, but not gender, marital or occupational status, site of diagnosis or place of residence. Patients with the delay also had decreased self‐perceived health and poorer PGWB scores compared to those without delay; in anxiety and general health this was seen even on a gluten‐free diet. Days of sickness and doctor visits as well as use of drugs for dyspepsia and antidepressants were increased in the delay group both before and after diagnosis. Conclusion A delay in celiac disease diagnosis predisposes to reduced well‐being and incremental use of medicines and health care services, both before diagnosis and one year after diagnosis.