The Effect of a Gluten-Free Diet on Sleep Disturbances in Children with Celiac Disease.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether a gluten-free diet (GFD) improves sleep disturbances in children with celiac disease (CD) over six months.
Results Summary
The study found a significant reduction in sleep disturbances, as measured by the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), after six months of GFD, with 71.8% of patients initially above the clinical cutoff dropping to 38.8%. Improvements were consistent across all subscales, though 37.8% of patients still had high scores post-intervention.
Population
103 children with celiac disease, no psychiatric diagnosis, and not on psychotropic medication.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
6 months
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
gluten-free diet (GFD) | decrease | total average CSHQ score | children with celiac disease (CD) | from 46 to 40 | decreased | #1 |
gluten-free diet (GFD) | decrease | number of patients with CSHQ score above clinically significant cutoff | children with celiac disease (CD) | from 74 patients (71.8%) to 40 patients (38.8%) | decreased | #2 |
gluten-free diet (GFD) | decrease | all CSHQ subscale scores | children with celiac disease (CD) | - | significant improvement was detected | #3 |
gluten-free diet (GFD) | decrease | total CSHQ score | children with celiac disease (CD) | - | significant improvement was detected | #4 |
- | increase | Parasomnia and the total CSHQ score | children who were diagnosed incidentally compared to symptomatic children | - | were higher | #5 |
gluten-free diet (GFD) | no change | Parasomnia and the total CSHQ score | children who were diagnosed incidentally compared to symptomatic children | - | did not differ | #6 |
- | no change | total CSHQ score | 39 patients (37.8%) | - | remained high | #7 |
- | increase | Maternal and paternal ages | children whose scores remained high | - | were significantly higher | #8 |
gluten-free diet (GFD) | decrease | sleep scores | children with celiac disease (CD) | - | significant improvement | #9 |
gluten-free diet (GFD) | decrease | sleep disturbances | children with celiac disease (CD) | - | may help to reduce | #10 |
PURPOSE: Sleep disturbances are common in patients with celiac disease (CD), but their response to a gluten-free diet (GFD) treatment remains scarce. This study investigated the alteration in sleep disturbances within 6 months of starting a GFD in children with CD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 103 children initially diagnosed with CD, with no psychiatric diagnosis and not receiving psychotropic medication, were included in this study. Sociodemographic data were collected, and the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) was completed both before and after six months of initiating a GFD. RESULTS: Overall, the total average CSHQ score was 46; after starting the GFD, this decreased to 40, which was under the clinically significant cutoff level for sleep disturbance (p < 0.001). A total of 74 patients (71.8%) had a CSHQ score above the clinically significant cutoff before treatment, which decreased to 40 patients (38.8%) six months after GFD (p < 0.001). A significant improvement was detected in all CSHQ subscale scores and in the total CSHQ score after starting the GFD (p < 0.001). Parasomnia and the total CSHQ score were higher in children who were diagnosed incidentally compared to symptomatic children but did not differ after GFD (p < 0.005). In 39 patients (37.8%), the total CSHQ score remained high 6 months after starting the GFD. Maternal and paternal ages were significantly higher in children whose scores remained high (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A significant improvement in sleep scores was detected after starting a GFD, regardless of initial age, sex, and symptom status. With a GFD, children may fall asleep more easily and sleep for longer with less interruptions. GFD may help to reduce sleep disturbances in CD, but future studies should investigate the certain conditions in patients who do not respond to a GFD.