CLINICAL ATTITUDES OF NASIRIYAH PHYSICIANS TOWARD CELIAC DISEASE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Dalal A Al-Asadi; Wisam A Farid; Mahdi M Thuwaini

doi:10.61796/ijmi.v3i2.494

Authors

Dalal A Al-Asadi
[email protected]
Southern Technical University, Iraq
Wisam A Farid Southern Technical University, Iraq https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6452-9593
Mahdi M Thuwaini Southern Technical University, Iraq https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4922-0170

Vol. 3 No. 2 (2026): International Journal Multidisciplinary (IJMI)

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April 28, 2026

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Objective: Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic autoimmune condition, affecting 1-2% of the population. However, most silent or non-classical cases go undiagnosed due to inadequate physicians' awareness and attitudes, which negatively impact their capacity to make appropriate clinical decisions, patients' quality of life, and needless medical costs. The study aimed to assess physicians’ attitudes toward CD in Nasiriyah Hospitals, Iraq. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study using convenience sampling was conducted in four hospitals in Thi-Qar Governorate, Iraq, with 300 participants. Results: The vast majority are young physicians, aged 24-32years. It revealed that internal medicine, gynecology and obstetrics are the most represented specialties. While gastroenterologists were the lower percentage. However, a higher percentage of physicians were neutral regarding some diagnostic aspects (the recommendation of CD screening for osteopenia/osteoporosis cases, anti-endomysial antibodies (EMA), the conventional anti-gliadin test, or the importance of IgG-based testing for total IgA deficiency patients). The study also found that a high percentage (58.7%) of doctors have a neutral attitude score, while only (41.3%) have a positive attitude score. Only sex, specialty, job title, and a family history of CD had a significant impact on the doctors' attitudes. Novelty: Physicians show insufficient neutral clinical attitudes towards CD. Despite their attitudes towards treatment (GFD) being strong, there is a gap regarding non-classical manifestations and some diagnostic aspects. The variation may result in overlooked cases and delayed diagnoses, highlighting the need for educational strategies.

Al-Asadi, D. A., Farid, W. A., & M Thuwaini, M. (2026). CLINICAL ATTITUDES OF NASIRIYAH PHYSICIANS TOWARD CELIAC DISEASE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY. International Journal Multidisciplinary (IJMI), 3(2), 480–494. https://doi.org/10.61796/ijmi.v3i2.494

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