Quality of Life of Celiac Patients in Brazil: Questionnaire Translation, Cultural Adaptation and Validation

Abstract

(1) Background: Celiac disease (CD) is a common autoimmune disorder. The manifestations of the disease and the obligatory life-long gluten-free diet (GFD) are associated with the impairment of patients’ quality of life. Therefore, the present study aimed to translate, culturally adapt and validate a celiac disease quality of life (CD-QoL) questionnaire and apply it to a representative number of Brazilian CD patients. (2) Methods: A cross-cultural Brazilian-Portuguese version of the CD-QoL was developed according to revised international guidelines. The questionnaire was administered to 450 celiac patients. The reliability, reproducibility and validity were studied. (3) Results: The Brazilian CD-QoL questionnaire presents valid measures of reproducibility and internal consistency. Early diagnosis is related to higher scores of Brazilian CD-QoL social, sub- and total scale. There was a positive correlation between higher education level and higher QoL. Individuals with partners tend to have a better emotional subscale of QoL. CD-patients who follow a strict GFD have highest QoL scale values. Men scored higher than women on the CD-QoL. All results were statistically significant except for the gastrointestinal subscale. (4) Conclusions: Brazilian CD-QoL allows comparative research between different celiac populations in the world. QoL research will help in the development of effective strategies to improve Brazilian celiac patients’ quality of life.

Evaluation of Quality of Life of Adult Patients with Celiac Disease in Argentina: From Questionnaire Validation to Assessment

“…Unlike previously applied questionnaires, the CDQ looks at specific aspects of the disease, such as those associated with a gluten-free diet while still evaluating generic aspects of HRQoL. The combination of the generic and disease-specific questionnaire makes CDQ a unique tool that has already proven effective in assessing the QoL of celiac patients in other countries (Germany, Italy, France, Turkey, and Brazil) [ 2 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 21 ].…”

“…The perception of HRQoL in celiac patients has been stirring researchers’ interest as a measure to guide public policies and health professionals [ 2 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. The burden of a lifelong GFD has demonstrated to be a significantly important factor in celiac patients’ lives.…”

“…The CD-QoL questionnaire (CDQ) evaluated four domains that affect CD patients; emotions, social, worries, and gastrointestinal symptoms [ 13 , 14 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. The questionnaire was also cross-culturally validated and applied in France [ 17 ], Turkey [ 13 ], Italy [ 18 ], and Brazil [ 14 ]. Brazil was the only known Latin American country to apply this tool.…”

Tools Used to Measure the Physical State of Women with Celiac Disease: A Review with a Systematic Approach

“…When talking about avoiding different diseases caused by the lack of treatment of CD; it is important to consider the quality of life and the psychological state of the patients in addition to compliance with the diet, since factors such as anxiety, depression, and poor quality of life can cause patients to abandon their treatment or can interrupt them from time to time [5,52,53,58]. Despite this, the tools to measure the psychological state of patients are generally not used due to lack of knowledge or time while consulting.…”

“…Different tests that help the health personnel to know the physical and psychological states of the patients with CD have been found in the different studies and is very important because it affects the adherence to treatments for a good state of health [5,52,53].…”