AIM: To screen for neurological and behavioural disorders in a paediatric cohort of patients with coeliac disease (CD) in order to detect possible differences related to compliance with gluten-free diet (GFD). METHODS: We recruited a cohort of 139 patients divided into three groups: A (40 patients with newly diagnosed CD), B (54 patients with CD in remission after GFD) and C (45 patients with potential CD). Patients first underwent a screening neurological visit, detecting signs associated with CD, and then were evaluated with Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC), a psychosocial screen for cognitive, emotional and behavioural problems. RESULTS: In the group B as compared to group A, there was a statistically significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the incidence of chronic fatigue, headache and inattention. The same applied to patients compliant to GFD vs. non-compliant. Potential coeliacs turning into overt CD had a higher incidence of headache and inattention compared with potential coeliacs showing normal mucosa. The PSC mean score in group A was statistically higher than in group B. CONCLUSION: Gluten-free diet had a positive impact on neuropsychiatric symptoms. We suggest the use of PSC in the routine follow-up of coeliacs in order to allow an early detection of psychosocial problems.
The Pediatric Symptom Checklist as screening tool for neurological and psychosocial problems in a paediatric cohort of patients with coeliac disease / Terrone, Gaetano; Parente, Iolanda; Romano, Alfonso; Auricchio, Renata; Greco, Luigi; DEL GIUDICE, Ennio. - In: ACTA PAEDIATRICA. - ISSN 0803-5253. - 102:(2013), pp. 325-328. [10.1111/apa.12239]
The Pediatric Symptom Checklist as screening tool for neurological and psychosocial problems in a paediatric cohort of patients with coeliac disease.
TERRONE, GAETANO;PARENTE, IOLANDA;ROMANO, ALFONSO;AURICCHIO, RENATA;GRECO, LUIGI;DEL GIUDICE, ENNIO
2013
Abstract
AIM: To screen for neurological and behavioural disorders in a paediatric cohort of patients with coeliac disease (CD) in order to detect possible differences related to compliance with gluten-free diet (GFD). METHODS: We recruited a cohort of 139 patients divided into three groups: A (40 patients with newly diagnosed CD), B (54 patients with CD in remission after GFD) and C (45 patients with potential CD). Patients first underwent a screening neurological visit, detecting signs associated with CD, and then were evaluated with Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC), a psychosocial screen for cognitive, emotional and behavioural problems. RESULTS: In the group B as compared to group A, there was a statistically significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the incidence of chronic fatigue, headache and inattention. The same applied to patients compliant to GFD vs. non-compliant. Potential coeliacs turning into overt CD had a higher incidence of headache and inattention compared with potential coeliacs showing normal mucosa. The PSC mean score in group A was statistically higher than in group B. CONCLUSION: Gluten-free diet had a positive impact on neuropsychiatric symptoms. We suggest the use of PSC in the routine follow-up of coeliacs in order to allow an early detection of psychosocial problems.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.