The Italian translation of the celiac disease-specific quality of life scale in celiac patients on gluten free diet

Background: A recently devised tool, the celiac disease-specific quality of life scale has been proposed to assess specifically quality of life in celiac patients.

Aim: To assess the validity and reliability of the Italian translation of the celiac disease-specific quality of life scale.

Methods: The celiac disease-specific quality of life scale underwent forward/backward translation. Adults patients on gluten free diet by at least one year, consecutively recruited, completed SF36 questionnaire, the Italian version of celiac disease-specific quality of life scale, the health related quality of life question and an abdominal pain scale. The study fulfilled criteria for acceptable psychometric assessment according to the International Quality of Life Assessment project.

Results: Two-hundred-thirty celiac patients were recruited after about nine years from diagnosis. Factor analysis indicates that there are some similarities and discrepancies between the English and the Italian questionnaires. Despite this, the Italian celiac disease-specific quality of life scale was able to identify the same four factors characterizing the patients' answers (dysphoria, limitations, health concerns, inadequate treatment).

Conclusion: The celiac disease-specific quality of life scale is useful for assessing celiac disease-related quality of life. A wide use of the Italian celiac disease-specific quality of life scale may be of help in obtaining comparable data on QOL in different setting and countries.