DIGITALUSING A MOBILE APP TO INCREASE ADHERENCE TO A GLUTEN-FREE DIET IN ADOLESCENTS WITH COELIAC DISEASE
1 Institute of Technology Carlow (IRELAND)
2 St. Luke's General Hospital Kilkenny (IRELAND)
2 St. Luke's General Hospital Kilkenny (IRELAND)
About this paper:
Appears in: ICERI2020 Proceedings
Publication year: 2020
Page: 8996 (abstract only)
ISBN: 978-84-09-24232-0
ISSN: 2340-1095
doi: 10.21125/iceri.2020.1996
Publication year: 2020
Page: 8996 (abstract only)
ISBN: 978-84-09-24232-0
ISSN: 2340-1095
doi: 10.21125/iceri.2020.1996
Conference name: 13th annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation
Dates: 9-10 November, 2020
Location: Online Conference
Dates: 9-10 November, 2020
Location: Online Conference
Abstract:
Objective:This study was part of a broader 3 year ERASMUS+ research initiative involving Hodgeschool van Amsterdam (HvA), Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences Austria (FHV), University of Seville (US) and the Institute of Technology Carlow (ITC) to develop an app to help adolescents self-manage coeliac disease (CD). The aim of this study was to complete year 2 of this project (the control phase) in order to establish a comparable baseline to which the intervention phase, planned for year 3 of this study, will be compared. The primary aims of year 2 of this project was to identify any change in adherence, quality of life or coeliac related symptoms over a 21-day period in adolescents with CD. The secondary aim was to identify the factors affecting patient quality of life.
Methods:
In year 1, a needs analysis was conducted on patients and parents of adolescents with CD. This information was used to design coeliac mobile app prototypes. In year 2, 30 participants (n=24 female, n=6 male) with CD aged 12-25 completed 3 online questionnaires pre and post a 21-day period. The 3 questionnaires (Coeliac Dietary Adherence Test (CDAT), Coeliac Symptom Index (CSI) and the Coeliac Dietary Assessment Questionnaire (CDAQ)) were used to measure adherence, coeliac related symptoms and quality of life, respectively. In year 3, these same participants will trial the coeliac mobile app prototypes for a 21-day period and complete the 3 online questionnaires.
Results:
There was no significant difference between pre and post CDAT (p=0.59), CSI (p=1.0) or CDAQ (p=1.0) scores; however, a small effect size between pre and post CDAT was noted (ES=0.246). An overall moderate level (50.1 ± 16.3) of quality of life was observed; however, high levels of dissatisfaction were noted in the stigma, social isolation and dietary burden domains of the CDAQ.
Conclusions:
A baseline was established to which the intervention phase, planned for year 3 of this study, will be compared. It was evident from this study that following a gluten free diet (GFD) can negatively impact some aspects of quality of life. Moreover, adherence can change over a short period of time; therefore, constant self-monitoring of dietary intake is required for optimal adherence to a GFD. Given the high emotional burden of following a GFD, clinicians should consider incorporating psychological skills (i.e. coping strategies) to improve effective management of CD and self-efficacy in adolescents.