Comparison of Quality of Life between Children and Adolescents with Coeliac Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease – A Survey among Patients and Their Caregivers

Abstract Purpose: The aim was to evaluate quality of life (QoL) in paediatric coeliac disease (CeD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients and determine factors contributing to QoL. Methods: Children (3–18 years) with either CeD or IBD and their parents filled in two questionnaires: the PedsQL™ 4.0 SF 15 (SF 15) and the PedsQL™ 3.0 GIS Scale (GIS). The scores were compared and correlated with clinical data. Results: 220 participants were enrolled (CeD: n = 67; IBD: n = 52). QoL in children with CeD or IBD are comparable between total scores (SF 15 total score: 83.49 (CeD) vs. 85.39 (IBD) (p = 0.13); GIS total score: 83.95 (CeD) vs. 88.25 (IBD) (p = 0.09)). However, differences in subcategories were found. In CeD patients, Emotional Functioning (p = 0.04), Food and Drink Limits (p < 0.01), Trouble Swallowing (p = 0.02) and Heart Burn and Reflux (p < 0.01) were related to a poorer QoL. Comparing perceptions of parents, similar results of QoL were shown (CeD: Emotional Functioning (p = 0.02), Food and Drink Limits (p < 0.01); IBD: Blood in Poop scale (p < 0.01)). According to univariate regression, SF 15 total scores of children with IBD and their parents (p < 0.01) and GIS total scores (children: p < 0.03, parents: p < 0.01) were lower when calprotectin was elevated. Total SF 15 scores reported by parents of children with CeD were lower when transglutaminase-IgA was elevated (p = 0.02). Conclusions: Although both diseases may vary in their clinical appearance and limitations in daily life, perceptions of QoL are comparable to each other. Yet, we discovered disease specific domains contributing to a lower QoL. Trial Registration: Bfarm.de; German Clinical Trials Register ID DRKS00027418; Trial registered on February 10th, 2022.