Factors that impact health-related quality of life in adults with celiac disease: a multicenter study.

AIM: To evaluate the factors involved in the impairment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with celiac disease. METHODS: A multicenter, cross-sectional prospective study was performed in patients with celiac disease who completed two HRQOL questionnaires: the gastrointestinal quality of life index (GIQLI) and the EuroQol-5D (EQ). RESULTS: Three hundred and forty patients (163 controlled with a gluten-free diet, and 177 newly diagnosed with a normal diet) were included. The GIQLI score was significantly better in patients on a gluten-free diet (GFD) than in non-treated patients on their usual diet, both in terms of the overall score (3.3 vs 2.7, respectively; P < 0.001), as well as on the individual questionnaire dimensions. Both the preference value of the EQ as the visual analogue scale were significantly better in treated than in non-treated patients (0.93 vs 0.72 P < 0.001 and 80 vs 70 P < 0.001, respectively). Variables significantly associated with a worse HRQOL score were female gender, failure to adhere to a GFD, and symptomatic status. CONCLUSION: In untreated celiac disease, the most important factors that influence patient perception of health are the presence of symptoms and a normal diet. HRQOL improves to levels similar to those described in the general population in celiac disease patients well controlled with a GFD.

Effects of diet on the ability to drive.

Monoamine synthesis and release depend on the availability of their precursors. Thus some individual behaviors and aptitudes can be controlled by changing the dietary supply of such amino acids. In order to determine the effects of diet on skills for a correct driving attitude, such as sleep latency, attention level, arousal and differences between sexes, we designed a crossover, double-blind trial with 50 volunteers from both sexes, aged 21-30, who ingested a protein enriched product or one composed only of carbohydrates. After 3 h, psychotechnical computerized tests were performed to assess ability to calculate speed, manual skills and vision coordination and concentration capability. No differences were seen in the performance of the tests after the ingestion of both products; thus, diet does not seem to influence behaviors involved in driving. Males performed better in tests involving space perception while females obtained higher scores in the test for visual memory.