Oznur AYDIN, Evrim KAHRAMANOGLU AKSOY, Zeynep GOKTAS
Hacettepe Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi - 2026;13(2):398-417
Objectives: Celiac disease is a lifelong autoimmune disorder in which strict adherence to a gluten-free diet is the cornerstone of treatment. However, many patients follow the gluten-free diet incorrectly due to limited nutrition education, which may affect nutritional adequacy, inflammation, and quality of life. This study aims to examine the effect of a gluten-free diet on nutritional status, anthropometric measurements, and serum interferon-gamma and interleukin-15 levels in adult celiac patients. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one adult female celiac patients and 20 healthy controls were included. All celiac patients received a structured, individualized gluten-free diet education session at baseline. Nutritional intake, anthropometric measurements, cytokine levels, and quality of life were assessed at baseline and after six weeks. Comparisons were made between baseline and week 6 within the celiac group, and between the celiac and control groups. Results: Interleukin-15 levels showed no significant differences, while interferon-gamma levels were higher in celiac patients but decreased after six weeks. Adherence to a gluten-free diet improved significantly at the 6th week. At baseline in the celiac group, protein (g/kg), fiber, thiamin, niacin, and iron intakes were significantly lower. In the 6th week, the levels of nutrient intakes except thiamin reached similar levels between the groups. The quality-of-life scores of celiac patients also increased significantly. Conclusion: Gluten-free diet education positively impacts nutritional status, diet adherence, and quality of life in celiac patients.
