ABSTRACT

There was an increase in anxiety levels in children with celiac diagnoses and an increase in trauma symptoms in their mothers and no difference in quality of life was found. It was concluded that Celiac disease affecting children and their family with many problems and impaired quality of life in children and adolescents, but many factors play role in this process.

Each group consisted of 17 males (42.5%) and 23 females (57.5%). In each groups, there are 22 (55%) individuals in the 8-12 age group and 18 (45%) individuals in the 13-18 age group. No significant difference was detected in depression scale scores between children and adolescents with Celiac disease and controls. Anxiety levels were found to be higher in pediatric age group when compared to controls while no significant difference was detected between adolescents and controls. No significant difference was detected in perception of quality of life in children and adolescents and their mothers in both groups. Post-traumatic stress level was found to be higher in mothers of children and adolescents with Celiac disease when compared to those in mothers of controls.

Forty children and adolescents with Celiac disease (aged 8-18 years) who were followed in Pediatric Gastroenterology Department of Erciyes University, Medicine School for at least 6 months and their mothers were included to the study. Forty age- and sex-matched subjects and their mothers were employed as control group. In all children and adolescents, it was asked to complete ‘Depression Scale for Children, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory’. All mothers were asked to complete ‘Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Scale and Quality of Life Inventory’.

Celiac disease is a chronic disorder which is among common causes of malabsorption at childhood and can affect children and adults lifelong. Celiac disease negatively affects psychosocial development of children and adolescents and impairs health-related quality of life. In this study, it was aimed to assess levels of depression and anxiety in children and adolescents with Celiac disease, relationship between these parameters and quality of life in the patients and their mothers.