Quality of Life Among Celiac Patients from the Bedouin Muslim Minority of Southern Israel.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVES

The Bedouin population of southern Israel is a traditional Muslim community with a tribal structure and a low socioeconomic status. The objective was to assess health-related quality of life in celiac disease (CD-QOL) and its associated factors, in particular the barriers of price (BP) and family life (BF), among Bedouin patients.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study based on structured questionnaires.

RESULTS

The knowledge level on CD among 107 study participants was extremely low. The mean (SD) on the CD-QOL score was 49.7 (9.1), indicating a relatively good QOL. Barriers of price increased the score on CD-QOL (i.e., decreased QOL) by 5.57 (95% CI, 2.33; 8.80), and BF by 6.48 (3.30; 9.67). Female sex increased the total score of CD-QOL and education beyond elementary school reduced it.

CONCLUSIONS

Educational interventions should be implemented at family and tribal levels. Partial coverage for gluten-free diet could improve the QOL of these patients.