The burden of celiac disease alleviates with gluten-free diet

In close collaboration with the Finnish Celiac Society, we have demonstrated that regardless of the phenotype, untreated celiac disease is associated with decreased quality-of-life. However, during dietary treatment the quality-of-life increases although it does not quite reach the level of the general population. Furthermore, it seems that undiagnosed celiac disease causes hidden burden to affected individuals, the health care system and the society, which can be diminished by treatment. These projects will be continued and pave the way for future health economic evaluations and development of management strategies for celiac disease.

Our selected publications:

Pasternack C, Kaukinen K, Kurppa K, Mäki M, Collin P, Hervonen K, Reunala T, Huhtala H, Kekkonen L, Salmi T. Gastrointestinal Symptoms Increase the Burden of Illness in Dermatitis Herpetiformis: A Prospective Study. Acta Derm Venereol. 2016 May 31. doi: 10.2340/00015555-2471.

Pasternack C, Kaukinen K, Kurppa K, Mäki M, Collin P, Reunala T, Huhtala H, Salmi TT. Quality of life and gastrointestinal symptoms in long-term treated dermatitis herpetiformis patients: a cross-sectional study in Finland. Am J Clin Dermatol 2015;16:545-52.

Mattila E, Kurppa K, Ukkola A, Collin P, Huhtala H, Forma L, Lähdeaho ML, Kekkonen L, Mäki M, Kaukinen K. Burden of illness and use of health care services before and after celiac disease diagnosis in children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2013; 57:53-6.

Ukkola A, Mäki M, Kurppa K, Collin P, Huhtala H, Kekkonen L, Kaukinen K. Patients’ experiences and perspectives of living with celiac disease – implications for optimizing care. J Gastrointest Liv Dis 2012;21:17-22.

Ukkola A, Kurppa K, Mäki M, Collin P, Huhtala H, Kekkonen, Kaukinen K. Use of health care services and pharmaceutical agents in coeliac disease: a prospective nationwide study. BMC Gastroenterol 2012;12:134-42.

Kinos S, Kurppa K, Ukkola A, Collin P, Huhtala H, Kekkonen L, Mäki M, Kaukinen K. Self-perceived burden of screen- and symptom-detected celiac disease in children and their families: a prospective study. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2012;55:412-6.

Ukkola A, Mäki M, Kurppa K Collin P, Huhtala H, Kekkonen L, Kaukinen K. Diet improves perception of health and well-being among only symptomatic patients with celiac disease. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2011;9:118-123.