Locus of Control Assessment Predicts Dietary Noncompliance in Celiac Disease

Noncompliance was associated with higher external locus of control, and compliance with higher internal locus of control.

Locus of control (LOC) characterizes the extent to which an individual believes external forces influence events (external LOC), or conversely, the extent to which the individual's own actions determine events (internal LOC). Individuals with internal LOC take greater responsibility for disease management. Because compliance with a gluten-free diet is required to control the symptoms of celiac disease, investigators in Italy evaluated compliance by administering an LOC and quality-of-life (QOL) questionnaire to 156 children (age range, 6–16 years; mean age, 10 years) on gluten-free diets and 353 healthy controls.

Thirty-four celiac patients (22%) reported noncompliance with the diet, and 35% of noncompliant patients had positive IgA anti-tra…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)