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Impact of Mediterranean Diet and Processed Food Consumption on Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Coeliac Patients on a Gluten-Free Diet

28. Oktober 2026 aktualisiert von: Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri SpA

MEDITERRANEAN DIET, HIGHLY PROCESSED FOODS AND THEIR IMPACT ON GASTROINTESTINAL SYMPTOMS, NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN ADULT COELIAC DISEASE PATIENTS ON A GLUTEN FREE DIET: A MULTICENTRE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Coeliac disease is a lifelong autoimmune condition in which the immune system reacts to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye, affecting about 1% of the general population. The only currently approved treatment is a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet (GFD). Although strict adherence to a gluten-free diet leads to mucosal recovery in most patients, up to 20-30% of coeliac patients continue to experience persistent gastrointestinal symptoms (such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea or constipation). Furthermore, commercially prepared gluten-free products often contain higher amounts of fat, sugar and salt, and lower amounts of fibre, protein, folate and vitamins compared with gluten-containing equivalents.

Conversely, the Mediterranean diet-rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, fish, nuts and extra-virgin olive oil-is widely recognised for its benefits on cardiovascular, metabolic and gut health, as well as quality of life, in contrast to diets rich in highly or ultra-processed foods.

This multicentre cross-sectional observational study aims to evaluate whether adult coeliac patients on a long-term strict gluten-free diet whose habitual diet more closely aligns with the Mediterranean dietary pattern are less likely to experience persistent gastrointestinal symptoms and have a better quality of life and nutritional status, and conversely whether higher consumption of highly processed foods is associated with worse symptoms, poorer quality of life and less adequate nutritional status. No dietary intervention is provided as part of the study; participants complete validated questionnaires and undergo routine anthropometric and blood assessments during a single regular outpatient follow-up visit.

Studienübersicht

Status

Rekrutierung

Bedingungen

Intervention / Behandlung

Detaillierte Beschreibung

This is a multicentre, observational, cross-sectional, no-profit study promoted and coordinated by ICS Maugeri SpA IRCCS di Pavia (Protocol Code: CTSPV40-24).

Objectives:

  • Primary Objective: To evaluate the relationship between adherence to a Mediterranean diet and gastrointestinal symptoms, coeliac disease-related quality of life, and nutritional status in a population of adult coeliac patients on a strict gluten-free diet (GFD) regularly followed at participating gastroenterology outpatient clinics.
  • Secondary Objective: To evaluate whether coeliac patients who consume higher amounts of highly processed (ultra-processed) foods have more persistent gastrointestinal symptoms, a worse quality of life, and a less adequate nutritional status.

Study Procedures and Observational Nature:

Patients attending routine gastroenterology outpatient follow-up visits will be invited to participate. All enrolled patients must have been on a strict GFD for at least 12 months with histological evidence of duodenal mucosal recovery on a follow-up biopsy. As clarified with the Ethics Committee (CET Lombardia 6), no specific Mediterranean diet is prescribed or provided within this study: all patients were instructed on how to follow a strict GFD at the time of coeliac disease diagnosis by expert physicians or dietitians as part of standard clinical practice, completely independently of this study. During a single study visit (with no scheduled study follow-up), the degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet, consumption of highly processed foods, GFD compliance, gastrointestinal symptoms, and quality of life are assessed using standardized, validated questionnaires:

  1. PyrMDS: 15-item Pyramid-based Mediterranean Diet Score (score range 0-15).
  2. sQ-HPF: Short screening Questionnaire of Highly Processed Food consumption (score range 0-14 and % HPF).
  3. Biagi GFD Score: Gluten-free diet adherence score (score range 0-4).
  4. GSRS-CD (CeD-GSRS): Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale including the 10 items on the Celiac Disease domains (7-point Likert scale per item).
  5. CDQ (CD-QOL): Celiac Disease-specific Quality of Life scale, Italian validated version (20 items on a 5-point Likert scale).

Nutritional status is evaluated through standard anthropometric measurements (height, weight, BMI, waist circumference) and routine clinical practice biochemical blood tests (hemoglobin, ferritin, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, albumin, ALT, AST, GGT, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting glucose).

Sample Size and Statistical Plan:

A minimum of 300 adult coeliac patients will be enrolled across 10 Italian centres over approximately 12-18 months (providing ~75% power to detect a small-to-medium effect size of Cohen's d = 0.3 at alpha = 0.05, and >80% power for Cohen's d = 0.5, while supporting multivariable regression models). Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests, Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests, Pearson's or Spearman's correlation coefficients, multiple linear regression models (for continuous outcomes), and multivariable logistic regression models (for dichotomous outcomes such as presence/absence of persistent gastrointestinal symptoms) will be used, adjusting for potential confounders including age, sex, duration of GFD, and comorbidities. Missing data on key variables will be addressed via multiple imputation with sensitivity analyses. Two-sided p-values < 0.05 will be considered statistically significant.

Studientyp

Beobachtungs

Einschreibung (Geschätzt)

300

Kontakte und Standorte

Dieser Abschnitt enthält die Kontaktdaten derjenigen, die die Studie durchführen, und Informationen darüber, wo diese Studie durchgeführt wird.

Studienkontakt

Studieren Sie die Kontaktsicherung

Studienorte

  • Italien
    • BS
      • Brescia, BS, Italien, 25123
        • Rekrutierung
        • ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Gastroenterologia
        • Kontakt:
    • FE
      • Ferrara, FE, Italien, 44121
        • Rekrutierung
        • Università degli Studi di Ferrara
        • Kontakt:
    • Michigan
      • Milan, Michigan, Italien, 20122
        • Rekrutierung
        • Center for Prevention and Diagnosis of Celiac Disease - Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico
        • Kontakt:
    • PD
      • Padua, PD, Italien, 35128
        • Rekrutierung
        • University of Padua, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology
        • Kontakt:
    • PV
      • Pavia, PV, Italien, 27100
        • Rekrutierung
        • Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, SC Medicina Generale
        • Kontakt:
      • Pavia, PV, Italien, 27100
        • Rekrutierung
        • ICS Maugeri SpA IRCCS, Gastroenterology Unit
        • Kontakt:
    • RA
      • Ravenna, RA, Italien, 48121
        • Rekrutierung
        • Gastroenterology Unit, Santa Maria delle Croci Hospital
        • Kontakt:

Teilnahmekriterien

Forscher suchen nach Personen, die einer bestimmten Beschreibung entsprechen, die als Auswahlkriterien bezeichnet werden. Einige Beispiele für diese Kriterien sind der allgemeine Gesundheitszustand einer Person oder frühere Behandlungen.

Zulassungskriterien

Studienberechtigtes Alter

18 Jahre und älter (Erwachsene, Älterer Erwachsener)

Akzeptiert gesunde Freiwillige

Nein

Studienberechtigte Geschlechter

Alle

Probenahmeverfahren

Nicht-Wahrscheinlichkeitsprobe

Studienpopulation

Adult patients (age > 18 years) with biopsy-confirmed coeliac disease on a strict gluten-free diet for at least 12 months and with histological evidence of mucosal recovery on follow-up duodenal biopsy, consecutively recruited during routine follow-up visits at 10 participating Italian gastroenterology outpatient clinics.

Beschreibung

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Adult patients (age > 18 years)
  • Diagnosis of coeliac disease based on positive IgA tissue transglutaminase / endomysial antibodies and villous atrophy on duodenal biopsy in accordance with major international guidelines
  • Strict adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD) for at least 12 months
  • Evidence of duodenal mucosal recovery on a follow-up biopsy
  • Regularly attending the participating gastroenterology outpatient clinics for follow-up

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Coeliac patients with poor gluten-free diet adherence and/or evidence of persistent villous atrophy on follow-up duodenal biopsy
  • Patients who follow a vegetarian/vegan diet or other restrictive diets

Studienplan

Dieser Abschnitt enthält Einzelheiten zum Studienplan, einschließlich des Studiendesigns und der Messung der Studieninhalte.

Wie ist die Studie aufgebaut?

Designdetails

  • Beobachtungsmodelle: OTHER
  • Zeitperspektiven: CROSS_SECTIONAL

Kohorten und Interventionen

Gruppe / Kohorte
Intervention / Behandlung
Adult Coeliac Disease Patients on a Long-Term Gluten-Free Diet

Adult patients (age > 18 years) with biopsy-proven coeliac disease on a strict gluten-free diet for at least 12 months and with documented duodenal mucosal recovery on follow-up biopsy, attending routine gastroenterology outpatient follow-up visits at the participating centres.
Sonstiges: Mediterranean Diet Adherence Evaluation

Observational assessment of the degree of adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern within the patient's habitual gluten-free diet, measured using the validated 15-item Pyramid-based Mediterranean Diet Score (PyrMDS, continuous score 0 to 15 across 15 food groups: vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, cereals, dairy, fish, red meat, processed meat, white meat, eggs, potatoes, sweets, alcohol, and olive oil). No dietary intervention is administered.

Andere Namen:
  • 15-Items Pyramid-based Mediterranean Diet Score (PyrMDS)
Sonstiges: Highly Processed Food Consumption Evaluation

Observational assessment of habitual consumption of highly processed / ultra-processed foods within the patient's gluten-free diet, measured using the validated short screening Questionnaire of Highly Processed Food consumption (sQ-HPF, score range 0 to 14 and estimated % HPF). No dietary intervention is administered.

Andere Namen:
  • Short Questionnaire of Highly Processed Food consumption (sQ-HPF)
  • Ultra-Processed Foods (UPF) intake

Was misst die Studie?

Primäre Ergebnismessungen

Ergebnis Maßnahme
Maßnahmenbeschreibung
Zeitfenster
Celiac Disease Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (CeD-GSRS) Score
Zeitfenster: Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)

Severity of gastrointestinal symptoms over the past week, measured with the 10-item CeD-GSRS. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert scale (1 = no discomfort at all; 7 = very severe discomfort). The score is the mean of the 10 items, ranging from 1 to 7, and higher scores indicate more severe symptoms. The score will be analysed in relation to Mediterranean diet adherence (PyrMDS) and highly processed food consumption (sQ-HPF), using correlation and multivariable linear regression.
Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)
Celiac Disease-Specific Quality of Life (CD-QOL) Score
Zeitfenster: Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)

Coeliac disease-specific quality of life over the past 30 days, measured with the Italian validated 20-item CD-QOL. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale and the total score is transformed to a 0-100 scale, where higher scores indicate better quality of life. The score will be analysed in relation to PyrMDS and sQ-HPF scores, using correlation and multivariable linear regression.
Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)
Pyramid-based Mediterranean Diet Score (PyrMDS)
Zeitfenster: Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)

Adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern, measured with the 15-item PyrMDS. The score is continuous and ranges from 0 to 15, where higher scores indicate greater adherence.
Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Zeitfenster: Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)

BMI is calculated from measured weight and height (kg/m²). It will be analysed in relation to PyrMDS and sQ-HPF scores, using correlation and multivariable linear regression.
Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)

Sekundäre Ergebnismessungen

Ergebnis Maßnahme
Maßnahmenbeschreibung
Zeitfenster
Short Questionnaire of Highly Processed Food Consumption (sQ-HPF) Score
Zeitfenster: Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)

Habitual consumption of highly processed foods, measured with the sQ-HPF. The score ranges from 0 to 14, where higher scores indicate greater consumption.
Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)
Gluten-Free Diet Adherence (Biagi Score)
Zeitfenster: Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)

Adherence to the gluten-free diet, measured with the Biagi score. The score ranges from 0 to 4, where higher scores indicate stricter adherence.
Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)
Percentage of Participants with Persistent Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Zeitfenster: Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)

The proportion of participants with persistent self-reported gastrointestinal symptoms. This proportion will be analysed in relation to PyrMDS and sQ-HPF scores using multivariable logistic regression.
Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)
Waist Circumference
Zeitfenster: Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)

Waist circumference (cm), measured according to standard procedures. It will be analysed in relation to PyrMDS and sQ-HPF scores, using correlation analysis.
Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)
Total Cholesterol
Zeitfenster: Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)

Serum total cholesterol (mg/dL) from routine blood tests. It will be analysed in relation to PyrMDS and sQ-HPF scores, using correlation analysis.
Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)
LDL Cholesterol
Zeitfenster: Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)

Serum LDL cholesterol (mg/dL) from routine blood tests. It will be analysed in relation to PyrMDS and sQ-HPF scores, using correlation analysis.
Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)
HDL Cholesterol
Zeitfenster: Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)

Serum LDL cholesterol (mg/dL) from routine blood tests. It will be analysed in relation to PyrMDS and sQ-HPF scores, using correlation analysis.
Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)
Triglycerides
Zeitfenster: Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)

Serum triglycerides (mg/dL) from routine blood tests. They will be analysed in relation to PyrMDS and sQ-HPF scores, using correlation analysis.
Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)
Fasting Glucose
Zeitfenster: Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)

Fasting plasma glucose (mg/dL) from routine blood tests. It will be analysed in relation to PyrMDS and sQ-HPF scores, using correlation analysis.
Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)

Andere Ergebnismessungen

Ergebnis Maßnahme
Maßnahmenbeschreibung
Zeitfenster
Hemoglobin
Zeitfenster: Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)

Serum hemoglobin concentration (g/dL) from routine blood tests. It will be analysed in relation to PyrMDS and sQ-HPF scores, using correlation analysis.
Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)
Ferritin
Zeitfenster: Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)

Serum ferritin concentration (ng/mL) from routine blood tests. It will be analysed in relation to PyrMDS and sQ-HPF scores, using correlation analysis.
Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)
Folate
Zeitfenster: Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)

Serum folate concentration (ng/mL) from routine blood tests. It will be analysed in relation to PyrMDS and sQ-HPF scores, using correlation analysis.
Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)
Vitamin B12
Zeitfenster: Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)

Serum vitamin B12 concentration (pg/mL) from routine blood tests. It will be analysed in relation to PyrMDS and sQ-HPF scores, using correlation analysis.
Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)
Vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D)
Zeitfenster: Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration (ng/mL) from routine blood tests. It will be analysed in relation to PyrMDS and sQ-HPF scores, using correlation analysis.
Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)
Albumin
Zeitfenster: Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)

Serum albumin concentration (g/dL) from routine blood tests. It will be analysed in relation to PyrMDS and sQ-HPF scores, using correlation analysis.
Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)
Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
Zeitfenster: Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)

Serum ALT (U/L) from routine blood tests. It will be analysed in relation to PyrMDS and sQ-HPF scores, using correlation analysis.
Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)
Zeitfenster: Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)

Serum AST (U/L) from routine blood tests. It will be analysed in relation to PyrMDS and sQ-HPF scores, using correlation analysis.
Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)
Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT)
Zeitfenster: Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)

Serum GGT (U/L) from routine blood tests. It will be analysed in relation to PyrMDS and sQ-HPF scores, using correlation analysis.
Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)
Calcium
Zeitfenster: Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)

Serum calcium concentration (mg/dL) from routine blood tests. It will be analysed in relation to PyrMDS and sQ-HPF scores, using correlation analysis.
Baseline (Single cross-sectional study visit, Day 1)

Mitarbeiter und Ermittler

Hier finden Sie Personen und Organisationen, die an dieser Studie beteiligt sind.

Sponsor

Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri SpA

Mitarbeiter

Universita degli Studi di Palermo
Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
Università degli Studi di Salerno, Salerno, Italy
Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
Università degli Studi di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
University of Padua, Italy
Santa Maria delle Croci Hospital, Ravenna, Italy

Ermittler

  • Hauptermittler: Annalisa Schiepatti, MD, PhD, ICS Maugeri SpA IRCCS

Studienaufzeichnungsdaten

Diese Daten verfolgen den Fortschritt der Übermittlung von Studienaufzeichnungen und zusammenfassenden Ergebnissen an ClinicalTrials.gov. Studienaufzeichnungen und gemeldete Ergebnisse werden von der National Library of Medicine (NLM) überprüft, um sicherzustellen, dass sie bestimmten Qualitätskontrollstandards entsprechen, bevor sie auf der öffentlichen Website veröffentlicht werden.

Haupttermine studieren

Studienbeginn (Tatsächlich)

1. Juli 2025

Primärer Abschluss (Geschätzt)

31. Dezember 2026

Studienabschluss (Geschätzt)

31. Dezember 2026

Studienanmeldedaten

Zuerst eingereicht

23. Oktober 2026

Zuerst eingereicht, das die QC-Kriterien erfüllt hat

28. Oktober 2026

Zuerst gepostet (Tatsächlich)

4. November 2026

Studienaufzeichnungsaktualisierungen

Letztes Update gepostet (Tatsächlich)

4. November 2026

Letztes eingereichtes Update, das die QC-Kriterien erfüllt

28. Oktober 2026

Zuletzt verifiziert

1. Oktober 2026

Mehr Informationen

Begriffe im Zusammenhang mit dieser Studie

Schlüsselwörter

Zusätzliche relevante MeSH-Bedingungen

Andere Studien-ID-Nummern

  • CTSPV40-24

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Studiert ein von der US-amerikanischen FDA reguliertes Geräteprodukt

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