The subjective experience of subjects diagnosed with celiac disease in adulthood

Introduction. - Celiac disease is estimated to affect between 1 in 100 and I in 300 Caucasian subjects. Many quantitative studies have explored the issues encountered by these subjects; however, few studies have addressed the subjective and experiential dimensions of celiac disease. Objective. - The objective of this qualitative exploratory study is to expand current knowledge concerning the subjective experience of celiac disease and of a gluten-free diet in subjects diagnosed with celiac disease in adulthood. Method. - Data was collected through non -directive interviews with 14 subjects aged between 28 and 53 (M = 41.7, SD = 7.48). Results. - An interpretive phenomenological analysis identified various themes related to the experience of illness: (1) history of the disease, (2) symptoms, (3) nutrition, (4) perception of medical experiences, (5) relationships with family and friends, (6) psychological implications, and (7) consequences for daily living. Conclusion. - The results show the importance of developing a "mythology" (concerning the disease's origin) to enable the inclusion of the condition in the individual's on-going personal story. (C) 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.