Abstract
Introduction/Aim: Celiac disease is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by persistent gluten intolerance. The condition imposed by the disease, a special gluten-free diet, often causes stress, which in children, especially adolescents, can lead to disturbances in mental health and social functioning. The aim of the study is to examine whether there are significant differences between children and adolescents with celiac disease and their peers without celiac disease in relation to their mental health and social functioning.
Methods: The study included 116 children and adolescents aged 5-18 years with a diagnosis of celiac disease and 116 children and adolescents without celiac disease. The study groups were matched by age and gender. In addition to the general questionnaire, the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorder (SCARED) was used to assess the level of anxiety. The chi-squared test was used in the statistical analysis of the data.
Results: Subjects with and without celiac disease did not differ significantly in gender and age. Children and adolescents with celiac disease had significantly more frequent anxiety (33.9%) (p <0.001), panic-somatic disorder (33.0%) (p <0.001), and avoided school (18.3%) (p <0.001), generalized (20.0%) (p =0.001) and separation anxiety (32.2%) (p <0.05) than controls (9.5%; 8.6; 2.6%; 4, 3%; 19.0%). There was no significant difference between social groups in relation to social anxiety.
Conclusion: In children with celiac disease, psychological aspects of the disease must be considered in order to ensure a better quality of life. Psychological stress and discomfort may occur as peers can avoid them because of a different diet.