Virtual Dietetic Interventions in Patients with Coeliac
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Role Of Virtual Dietetic Interventions In Patients With Coeliac Disease
IRAS ID
340526
Contact name
David Sanders
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Coeliac Disease (CD) affects 1% (approximately 530,000) of all adults in the UK, currently only 36% of sufferers are diagnosed. This condition affects multiple organ systems, increasing the prevalence of vitamin and mineral deficiencies, other autoimmune disorders, osteoporosis and gastrointestinal malignancies. The cornerstone for treatment is the Gluten Free Diet (GFD) which is delivered by Dietitians across the UK. Approximately 12,000 newly diagnosed patients with CD are diagnosed annually. The diet can be difficult to follow without appropriate dietetic support, even a small quantity of gluten (<1 gram) inadvertently ingested can cause symptoms and inflammation.
Best practice indicates that patients should have one to one consultations with a dietitian at their first appointment and given a broad educational overview of the GFD. However, NHS dietetic services in the UK are underfunded and as a result patients are either often not seen or given a minimum of 6 weeks to wait after their diagnosis has been confirmed by a doctor.
Discussions with patient representatives have indicated they have a strong preference for immediate access to dietetic education and support post-diagnosis. This would help reduce the possibility of them accessing contradictory or inappropriate dietary information.
For this reason, the use of a dietetic-led On-Demand Webinar (ODW) has the potential to offer an immediate first-patient consultation which could improve patient equity of access, standardise dietetic care and have significant cost-savings to the NHS and patients.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/NW/0222
Date of REC Opinion
21 Aug 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion