Abstract
The aim of this study is to demonstrate the effectiveness of the gluten-free diet (GFD) for celiac disease (CD) in a multidisciplinary outpatient Gastroenterology clinic with two adult cases using the innovative, paradigm-shifting measurement systems: The NIH Patient reported outcome measures (PROs). CD results in gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction, but is also associated with other inflammatory responses, psychosocial impairment, and cognitive deficits such as “brain fog.” Adherence to the GFD for 6 months was associated with improvement in specific GI symptoms in one case (PROMIS-GI; Case 2) and improvement in cognitive functioning (NIH Toolbox Cognitive Battery) and psychosocial functioning (Neuro-QOL) in both cases. Notably, improvement in cognitive flexibility occurred in both younger and an older adult patient. This suggests that cognitive decline and the psychosocial deficits associated with CD are reversible with GFD. The NIH PROs were found to be effective, sensitive to change, and minimally disruptive to clinic operations.
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We wish to thank Ms. Chelsea Weiner for assisting with IRB approval process.
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This research was funded by an Internal Seed Money Grant from the UCF College of Medicine to Drs. Su and Cassisi.
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Jeffrey E. Cassisi, Emily J. Ross, Helize Vivier, Nicholas James and Le‑Chu Su declare that they have no potential conflicts of interest to report.
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This study was approved by the UCF Institutional Review Board and was performed in accordance with the ethical standards as laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments.
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Cassisi, J.E., Ross, E.J., Vivier, H. et al. The Impact of a Gluten-Free Diet on Celiac Disease: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Two Cases Using NIH Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMIS, NTCB, and Neuro-QoL). J Clin Psychol Med Settings 27, 444–453 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-020-09698-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-020-09698-5