Depression and Anxiety as Aspects of Mental Health in Celiac Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analytical Synthesis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2026.53.70252Keywords
celiac disease, depression, anxiety, psychiatric symptoms, gluten-free diet, meta-analysisAbstract
Background:
Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic immune-mediated disorder with significant extraintestinal manifestations, including neuropsychiatric symptoms. Depression and anxiety are among the most frequently reported and may substantially affect quality of life.
Aim:
This review aimed to evaluate the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in adults and children with CD and to assess the influence of adherence to a GFD on psychiatric outcomes.
Material and Methods:
A structured narrative review with meta-analytical synthesis was conducted using studies identified through PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science. Observational studies, clinical cohorts, and existing meta-analyses were included. Findings were integrated narratively, considering age, disease status, and dietary adherence.
Results:
Depressive symptoms were consistently more prevalent in individuals with CD, particularly in untreated or newly diagnosed patients. Partial improvement was observed following initiation of a gluten-free diet although symptoms often persisted. Findings regarding anxiety were heterogeneous. Psychiatric outcomes were influenced by disease activity, age, nutritional status, and psychosocial factors.
Conclusions:
Depression and anxiety are clinically relevant but often underrecognized components of CD. A GFD may alleviate psychological distress but does not fully eliminate psychiatric morbidity, supporting the need for routine mental health screening and multidisciplinary care.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Julia Martowska, Karolina Wojciechowska, Wiktor Warych, Maciej Parol, Nicole Monika Klemendorf, Julia Baran, Julia Niezgoda, Tomasz Skłodowski, Katarzyna Woroniecka, Agnieszka Bullmann
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