Researchers tested a new digital tool that lets people with celiac disease do their yearly health check-ups online instead of always visiting a dietitian in person. Out of 165 stable celiac disease patients, about 82% used the digital tool successfully. After a dietitian reviewed their responses (taking about 14 minutes per person), most patients didn’t need an extra appointment—they could just wait for their regular yearly visit. More than half of the patients said they’d prefer using the digital tool for future check-ups. This suggests that digital reviews could help clinics see more patients efficiently while still giving people good care.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a digital online tool could work as well as in-person visits for yearly celiac disease check-ups with a dietitian
  • Who participated: 165 adults with celiac disease who had been diagnosed for more than 3 years and were doing well health-wise. The study looked at data collected between September 2022 and March 2024 at one UK hospital.
  • Key finding: About 82% of patients successfully used the digital tool. After a dietitian reviewed their answers, 72% didn’t need an extra appointment before their regular yearly visit, and 55% said they’d prefer using the digital tool again in the future.
  • What it means for you: If you have stable celiac disease, a digital check-up tool might be a convenient option for your yearly review. However, this study only looked at people who were already doing well, so it may not apply to everyone with celiac disease.

The Research Details

This was a retrospective study, meaning researchers looked back at information that had already been collected. They examined data from 165 adults with celiac disease who used a new digital annual review tool between September 2022 and March 2024 at a single UK hospital. The digital tool allowed patients to answer questions about their health and diet online, which a specialist dietitian then reviewed.

The researchers used statistical tests to see if different groups of people (based on age, gender, etc.) were more or less likely to use the digital tool. They also measured how long it took the dietitian to review each patient’s responses and tracked what happened after the review—whether patients needed extra appointments or could wait for their regular yearly visit.

The study received approval from the hospital’s ethics committee and followed proper data protection rules, which means it was conducted responsibly and with patient privacy in mind.

This research approach is important because it shows real-world results from actual patients using the tool in a real clinic setting. Rather than testing something in a controlled lab, researchers looked at what actually happened when the digital tool was used in practice. This helps us understand whether digital tools can really help busy clinics manage patient care more efficiently.

This study has some strengths: it looked at a decent number of patients (165), used proper statistical analysis, and got ethical approval. However, there are some limitations to keep in mind. It only included patients who were already doing well with their celiac disease, so results might be different for people struggling with symptoms. It was also done at just one hospital in the UK, so results might vary in other places or countries with different healthcare systems.

What the Results Show

The main finding was that most patients (81.7%, or about 82 out of 100) successfully completed the digital annual review tool. This high engagement rate was encouraging and suggests that patients are willing and able to use digital health tools. Importantly, the researchers found that engagement didn’t depend on patient characteristics like age or gender—people of all backgrounds were equally likely to use the tool.

After a specialist dietitian reviewed each patient’s digital responses (which took an average of 14 minutes per person), the results showed that most patients were doing fine. About 72% of patients didn’t need any extra appointments before their regular yearly visit. This means the digital tool successfully identified which patients were stable and didn’t need urgent help.

However, about 22% of patients (31 people) did need a follow-up appointment with the dietitian to discuss their symptoms or how well they were following a gluten-free diet. This shows that the digital tool could identify patients who needed more attention, which is an important safety feature.

When asked about their preference, 55% of patients said they would like to use the digital tool for future annual reviews. This patient preference is significant because it suggests people find the digital option acceptable and convenient.

The study also showed that the digital tool was efficient for clinic staff. The 14-minute average review time per patient means a dietitian could potentially review multiple patients in a day, helping clinics manage their workload better. The fact that most patients didn’t need follow-up appointments suggests the tool could free up appointment slots for patients who need more intensive support. Additionally, the tool successfully identified the small group of patients who did need appointments, showing it works as a screening tool to prioritize care.

UK guidelines recommend that all adults with celiac disease should see a dietitian once a year. Many clinics struggle to meet this demand because they don’t have enough dietitian time. This study suggests that digital tools could help solve this problem by making annual reviews more efficient. While previous research has shown that digital health tools can work for various conditions, this is one of the first studies specifically testing this approach for celiac disease annual reviews in the UK.

Several important limitations should be considered. First, this study only included patients who were already doing well with their celiac disease (clinically stable). Results might be very different for patients who are struggling with symptoms or newly diagnosed. Second, the study was done at just one hospital in the UK, so results might not apply everywhere. Third, the researchers looked back at data that was already collected rather than following patients forward in time, which is less powerful than some other study types. Finally, we don’t know if the digital tool would work as well for older patients or those less comfortable with technology, since the study didn’t specifically test these groups.

The Bottom Line

For adults with stable celiac disease who have been diagnosed for several years and are doing well: A digital annual review tool appears to be a reasonable and efficient option for your yearly check-up with a dietitian. This approach is supported by moderate evidence from this study. However, if you’re experiencing new symptoms, struggling with your diet, or were recently diagnosed, you should still see your dietitian in person for a full evaluation.

This research is most relevant for: (1) Adults with celiac disease who are stable and doing well, (2) Dietitians and clinics looking for ways to manage patient care more efficiently, (3) Healthcare systems trying to meet annual review guidelines with limited resources. This research is less relevant for: (1) People newly diagnosed with celiac disease, (2) Patients experiencing active symptoms or dietary struggles, (3) People who are uncomfortable using digital tools or don’t have internet access.

If you use a digital annual review tool, you should expect to receive feedback from your dietitian within a few weeks. If no follow-up appointment is needed, you can continue with your regular yearly in-person visit as scheduled. If the dietitian identifies concerns, you might be offered an appointment within a few weeks to discuss your symptoms or diet.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your gluten-free diet adherence monthly using a simple checklist: number of days you strictly avoided gluten, any accidental exposures, and digestive symptoms. This creates a record you can share during your digital review.
  • Before completing your digital annual review, spend one week keeping a food diary and symptom log. This gives you concrete information to share with your dietitian rather than trying to remember details from the past year.
  • Set a monthly reminder to rate your overall celiac disease management on a scale of 1-10 and note any new symptoms or dietary challenges. Review these monthly notes before your annual digital check-up to provide accurate information to your dietitian.

This research shows that digital annual reviews may work well for adults with stable celiac disease, but it does not replace personalized medical advice from your healthcare team. If you have celiac disease, especially if you’re newly diagnosed, experiencing symptoms, or struggling with your diet, you should continue to see your dietitian and doctor in person as recommended. Digital tools should complement, not replace, professional medical care. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making changes to your celiac disease management plan.