An observational study in Malabsorption Syndromes, Intestinal Diseases and Gastrointestinal Disease, sponsored by Tampere University Hospital. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Finland. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-01-26.
Sponsored by Tampere University Hospital · Observational
The primary aim of this project is to investigate how active screening and the timing of diagnosis affect the long-term health outcomes of patients with celiac disease. Additionally, the study seeks to clarify the natural course of so-called potential celiac disease. A key focus is also placed on assessing adherence to a gluten-free diet among screen-detected and, if initiated, potential celiac disease patients, their satisfaction with the diagnosis, and the diet's impact on general health and quality of life.
In this retrospective observational cohort study, participants from earlier studies conducted by the Tampere Celiac Disease Research Center are invited for a follow-up visit. The study cohorts include individuals with screen-detected celiac disease (CeD), potential CeD, and subjects previously investigated due to positive CeD serology, but with an unknown diagnostic status. The participants are interviewed and complete structured questionnaires. Blood, urine, stool, and mucosal samples are collected for both routine clinical assessment and research purposes. Bone mineral density is measured using DXA, and a skin biopsy is offered to assess for latent dermatitis herpetiformis. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is offered to participants with potential CeD who are on a gluten-containing diet, as well as to those experiencing challenges with dietary treatment. Clinical results are compared with healthy relatives and previously studied, treated CeD controls.
Participants of earlier study cohorts investigating potential or screen-detected celiac disease, irrespective of the current diagnostical status.
Exclusion Criteria:
Patients with confirmed celiac disease diagnosis found by screening of the disease
Patients earlier diagnosed with potential celiac disease and patients who have had celiac disease antibody positivity, but were not investigated further. Current diagnostic and treatment status is mostly unknown.
Gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS)
Symptoms are measured with Gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS) questionnaire. The scoring consists of 15 items, which are scored with a 7-grade Likert scale in which 1 point indicates no symptoms and 7 points the most severe gastrointestinal symptoms. Items cover five different symptoms (indigestion, diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation and reflux) and values for each sub-dimension are calculated as a mean of the relevant items. The total GSRS score is described as a mean value of all 15 items (from 1 to 7 points). Scores of the participants are compared with the result of earlier study when possible.
Time frame: At the time of study visit
Quality of life (PGWB)
Quality of life is measured with Psychological General Well-Being (PGWB) questionnaire. The survey consists of 22 separate items covering six different sub-dimensions: anxiety, depression, well-being, self-control, general health and vitality. The scoring is based on a 6-grade Likert scale in which higher scores indicate better quality of life. The value of the total PGWB score may range from a minimum of 22 to maximum 132. The sub-scores are calculated as a sum of the items in each sub-dimensio. The PGWB results are compared with the result of earlier study when possible.
Time frame: At the time of study visit
Celiac disease diagnosis
How many have received celiac disease diagnosis after previous study?
Time frame: 2-20 years
Gluten-free diet
Adherence to the dietary treatment, when initiated is assessed by food diaries and Celiac Disease Adherence Test (CDAT) questionnaire. CDAT questionnaire is a 7-item questionnaire. Scoring is from 7 to 35, in which lower scores indicate good adherence and higher scores point towards poor adherence to gluten-free diet.
Time frame: The time of study visit
Skin symptoms
Interview and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire. The DLQI is dermatology-spesific index with 10 questonnaire considering the impact of skin disease to quality of life during the last week. Each question is scored with a 4-point Likert scale (0-3), giving the total DLQI score from 0 to 30, a higher score indicating worse quality of life
Time frame: At the time of study visit
BMI
Weight (kilograms) and height (centimeters) will be combined as body mass index, kg/m2
Time frame: At the time of the study
Nutritional status and general health
Interview and blood tests
Time frame: 2-20 years
Bone mineral density
Bone mineral density is assessed with Duel-energy WX-ray Absorptiometry (DXA). In DXA, T-score compares bone mineral density to values of young, healthy adult. T-score -2.5 or lower indicates osteoporosis and score between -1.0 and -2.4 indicates osteopenia.
Time frame: At the time of the study visit
Modified Marsh-Oberhuber Classification
Duodenal histology is evaluated with morphological description and Modified Marsh-Oberhuber classification. In this classification Marsh 0 means entirely normal mucosa, Marsh 1 indicates normal villi and crypts with increased intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL), Marsh 2 for increased IELs and crypt hyperplasia. Marsh 3 a-c villus atrophy is combined to increased IELs and cryp hyperplasia: Class 3a partial villus atrophy, 3b for subtotal villus atrophy and 3c for total villus atrophy.
Time frame: 2-20 years
Villus hight-Crypt depth Ratio (Vh/CrD)
Vh/CrD is a morphometric method to assess duodenal histology in addition to classifications like Marsh-Oberhuber. From several well-oriented duodenal samples, villous hight and crypt depth are measured. Ratio \<2.0 indicates active celiac disease.
Time frame: 2-20 years
Plan to share: No
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Tampere University Hospital