Coeliac disease knowledge and treatment: Potential factors associated with adherence to gluten-free diet

@#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.

Retention Effects of Dietary Education Program on Diet Knowledge, Diet Self-Care Compliance, Physiologic Indices for Hemodialysis Patients

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the retention effects of an individualized dietary education program for hemodialysis patients on diet knowledge, diet self-care compliance, and physiological indices, thus to find the most effective time period for re-education. Method: This study utilized one-group repeated pretest-posttest design. The participants were 52 hemodialysis patients in C hospital, Gyeonggi-Do. Data were collected at 4 and 12 weeks after the education from January through April 2016. RESULTS: There was significant increases in diet knowledge even 12 weeks after the education (p=.007). Diet self-care compliance showed a significant increase at 4 weeks (p=.001), but a decrease at 12 weeks after the education. The level of blood natrium was significantly decreased between 4 and 12 weeks after the education (p=.006). The weight was significantly decreased at 12 weeks after the education. CONCLUSION: It has been identified that re-education for hemodialysis patients should be implemented between 4 and 12 weeks after education in order to maintain patients' diet self-care compliance, an ultimate aim of diet education. By helping them with their self-care compliance, the patients would maintain their physical and psychological function optimally, thus contributing to a better quality of life among hemodialysis patients.