Abstract

FERRE ROVIRA, María del Mar  and  LATORRE FERNADEZ, Isabel. Opening the Doors: Getting to know a celiac. Index Enferm [online]. 2010, vol.19, n.4, pp.264-268. ISSN 1699-5988.

Background: Celiac disease is an intolerance to gluten, that can affect any ethnicgroup in any region, as well as all aspects of the lives of those who suffer from it. The treatment for this pathology focuses solely on a gluten-free diet for life. Bearing in mind that wheat is the most widely consumed cerealin Western countries, maintaining such a diet can be difficult. Objectives: To learn how a life-long, gluten-free diet daily affects those who suffer from celiac disease in order to be able to improve their quality of life. Design: A case study. Methodology: Conducting open, semi-structured interviews with a patient suffering from celiac disease and those closest to him (mother and friends), as well as with the male nurse and the social worker from his Health Centre. Results and conclusions: A gluten-free diet affects the personal, family and social and economic aspects of the life of an individual suffering from celiac disease.

Keywords : Case study; Celiac disease sufferer; The quality of life of an individual with celiac disease.