Celiac Dietary Adherence Test simplifies Determining Adherence to a Gluten-free Diet in Swedish Adolescents.

OBJECTIVES

The aims of the study were to ascertain whether the Celiac Dietary Adherence Test (CDAT) could contribute in determining adherence to a gluten-free diet in patients with celiac disease and to evaluate the diet adherence and well being of a study population 5 years after a celiac disease screening known as "Exploring the Iceberg of Celiacs in Sweden."

METHODS

Through the screening, 90 adolescents (born 1997) were diagnosed with biopsy-proven celiac disease at 12 years of age. Of them, 70 (78%) came to a 5-year follow-up where anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies 2 was tested and a questionnaire was filled in, including CDAT, which consists of 7 questions related to adherence. Nonparametrical tests were used to determine associations between adherence measures.

RESULTS

Among the adolescents, 86% were adherent to a gluten-free diet 5 years after screening, 38% reported their general well being as excellent, 50% very well, and 12% well. Statistically significant associations were seen between anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies 2 and the CDAT score (P = 0.033), and the self-reported adherence question and the CDAT score (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The screening-detected adolescents reported a high level of well being and adherence to a gluten-free diet 5 years after screening. We conclude that the CDAT can be used in clinical practice as an estimation of adherence to a gluten-free diet. It would be most suitable to use in conjunction with currently used adherence measures, but can also be used as a stand-alone method when others are not accessible.