The psychosocial impacts caused by diagnosis and treatment of Coeliac Disease

Objective: To comprehend the psychosocial effects that Coeliac Disease diagnosis entails. Method: Qualitative study, achieved through semi-structured interviews, analyzed in accordance to the Association of ideas map Technique. A total 12 recently-diagnosed patients from the Centro de diagnostico, tratamento e apoio ao paciente com doenca celiaca (Coeliac Disease Prevention, Support and Treatment Diagnose Centre) from the Hospital Universitario de Brasilia (University Hospital of Brasilia) were enrolled for the study, between the years of 2013 and 2014. Results: The interviewed patients presented negative impacts in three categories: psychoaffective, family and social relationships, indicating issues with social readaptation once the treatment had started, as well as difficulty coping with a gluten free diet. Conclusion: Coeliac Disease holds substantial impact on psychological functions, family and social relationships to diagnosed patients, requiring a clinical biopsychological assistance for better adherence to treatment and patients quality of life.