Research is a cornerstone of education at Dominican University of California. Posters in this collection showcase student research presented at conferences.
Browse our research posters by department
Barowsky School of Business | Education | Global Public Health | Natural Sciences and Mathematics | Nursing | Occupational Therapy | Physician Assistant Studies | Psychology
-
Nursing Education on Sleep Health and its Impact on Insulin Resistance in Adolescents
Salamasina Tufa
Sleep is essential for human physical restoration, cognitive function, and emotional well-being. Recent studies have discovered that sleep is also important for proper endocrine system health, and problems with sleep may directly put a person at risk for Type II Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) (Tsuneki et al., 2016). A precursor to T2DM is insulin resistance (IR), which is when insulin is not effective in bringing glucose into the cells for energy. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2024). Sleep disorders, poor sleep quality, and short sleep duration contribute to IR by harming the body’s cells, making them less responsive to insulin (Coombe et al., 2022). Sleep deprivation disrupts hormones such as ghrelin, which stimulates hunger. Ghrelin is typically elevated in individuals with poor sleep (Kim et al., 2015). Research has found that people with T2DM who have poor sleep quality are more likely to engage in emotional eating and have less cognitive restraint with food (Zhu et al., 2019). Increased caloric intake and unhealthy food choices over long periods of time are associated with IR, ultimately highlighting how sleep health is a critical factor in T2DM prevention (Cleveland Clinic, 2021).
-
Impact of Nursing Education on Kangaroo Mother Care: Neurodevelopment Outcomes in Preterm Infants
Giana Usac
Preterm birth poses a significant risk to the normal trajectory of brain development, particularly in the cortex, which is responsible for higher cognitive functions, motor control, and socio-emotional processing. However, Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) has emerged as an important early intervention capable of improving neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm newborns. This quantitative research proposal aims to assess the influence of nurse education on KMC practices, identifying pivotal periods in infancy when KMC has the most significant impact on neurodevelopment outcomes in preterm infants. The literature critique focuses on the efficacy of nursing education, the optimization of KMC regarding duration and frequency, and its association with positive neurodevelopmental outcomes. This research proposal entails a true experimental study exploring the optimal frequency and duration of KMC sessions, intending to provide persuasive evidence of neurodevelopmental benefits for preterm infants. Fifty mother-preterm baby pairs will be randomly assigned to either a control group or an intervention group. Bayley Scales of Infant Development and the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales will be used to evaluate the outcomes of this study. Following the completion of the research proposal, it is anticipated that nursing professionals will gain valuable insights, enabling them to effectively educate parents on practices that enhance neurodevelopmental outcomes.
-
Educational Program on Depression and Anxiety for Low Socioeconomic Postpartum Latina Mothers
Lizbeth Valdez Duran
Postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum anxiety are common mental health conditions that women experience after childbirth. PPD involves intense feelings of extreme sadness, and diminished interests in activities that once brought them happiness. Postpartum anxiety involves constant worry and fear, often centered on the well-being of the baby. Symptoms may include restlessness or irritability, panic attacks, and trouble concentrating or sleeping. Barriers to treating depression and anxiety among Latinas include a lack of awareness or understanding of mental health issues. (Lopez et al., 2018).
Health Literacy refers to the individual's ability to understand and process health-related information. By assessing a patient's health literacy, nurses can tailor their education and interventions more effectively, to reduce risk of negative health outcomes. However, factors such as stigma surrounding mental illness, reluctance to seek help, and concerns about healthcare cost can prevent individuals from accessing health services. Cultural beliefs about mental health can influence an individual's ability to recognize symptoms and seek care. Latinas, especially those with lower socioeconomic status are less likely to utilize health services due to cultural stigma, as well as concerns regarding the addictive nature of depression medications (Green et al., 2017).
-
Life After Pediatric Hemorrhagic Stroke: Family & Survivor Perspectives
Dylan F. Wallis, Sydney M. Spina, Jason Ryan Wong, Ashley Palacios, and Sophia M. Bonk
-
Sensory Diets within Pediatric Occupational Therapy Practice: A Scoping Review
Kiyomi Wong, Lauren Carmichael, Aerial Predovich, Malia Mar, and Julia Wilbarger
Abstract: Occupational therapists use sensory diets to help clients address challenging behaviors, promote development, and optimize daily functions, performance and participation in daily activities. Sensory diets are specific routine-based schedules that are designed and applied by Occupational Therapists in order to meet the needs of the client (Peterson et al., 2018). A plethora of literature addresses how sensory diets are used to support those with sensory disorders (Mills and Chapparo, 2018). The purpose of this scoping review is to appraise and synthesize the literature supporting the use of sensory diets and to identify the gaps in the evidence and inform future research.
Methods: The research was collected using the following databases: CINAHL Complete, ERIC, PsychInfo, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Iceberg, and PubMed. The websites used are as follows: AOTA, AJOT, Australian OTA, Sensory Integration Global Network, and Gray literature sources such as occupational therapy dissertations and theses.
Results: 8 articles met the inclusion criteria. Overall, the evidence demonstrated a positive effect of sensory diets to support children with sensory processing disorders. Sensory diets led to positive behaviors and supported a child's optimal performance throughout their daily life. SD’s were used in multiple settings, creating a wide environmental scope of practice for occupational therapists.
Conclusion: Occupational Therapists can utilize sensory diets within their practice to promote engagement and participation in one’s day-to-day occupations.
-
Medical Aid in Dying Education for Hospice Nurses
Ian K. Woo
Background: Medical aid in dying (MAID) is an option surrounding end-of-life care for hospice patients. This process gives patients the autonomy to end their life during the time and location of their choosing. MAID is growing in legalization and practice across the US. However, many nurses feel uncomfortable or unprepared when providing care for patients contemplating it. Hospice nurses should have confidence in their ability to care for patients through the process of MAID. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of education in strengthening new hospice nurses’ ability to care for patients through the process of MAID. Method: The research will utilize a quantitative quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test measurements. Hospice nurses with less than one year of experience in California will be given an online educational course and will be surveyed before and after completion. Results: The data collection will include a summary of the demographic data and the four-question survey given before and after the education. Descriptive statistics and a paired sample t-test will be used to identify a correlation between education and hospice nurse preparedness. A p-value will be used to determine if the results are statistically significant. Conclusion: Many hospice nurses feel uncomfortable or unprepared when caring for patients thinking about MAID. This study will help determine how effective education is in preparing new hospice nurses to care for patients through the process of MAID.
Keywords: medical aid in dying, nurse perspective, nurse support, and nursing education
-
Evaluating Pulmonary Tuberculosis Knowledge Deficits Among Nursing Students in the United States
Jamie Lynn Woo
The healthcare field consistently faces patients with a wide range of diseases and illnesses. Pulmonary Tuberculosis is an infectious lung disease with established tools to prevent, detect, and treat it. Yet, there has been a significant rise in cases within the past year. Amidst this troubling situation, it is crucial that all healthcare workers, nursing students, and nurses in particular, are properly educated on caring for TB patients. This research proposal aims to determine if there are TB treatment knowledge gaps among nursing students in the United States by conducting a 20-question survey utilizing the Likert Scale. If results show that there are knowledge deficits, then a future research study could explore the success rate of implementing comprehensive educational sessions about TB.
-
Reducing Levels of Compassion Fatigue Among Generation Z Hospital Nurses
Kailani Yee
Although qualities such as empathy and compassion are commonly regarded as essential traits in a caregiver, continuous exposure to the hardships and suffering of others creates a risk of developing compassion fatigue. Compassion fatigue (CF) is the emotional, physical, and mental toll that builds up over time in individuals in caregiver roles. It develops from the prolonged expression of compassion and empathy while caring for individuals experiencing death, trauma, suffering, or grief (Delaney, 2018).
Nurses are among the populations most impacted by CF as they are typically at the forefront of patient-care, bearing responsibility for the physical, psychosocial, and emotional well-being of multiple individuals on a daily basis (Taşdemir et al., 2024).
With more young nurses entering the workforce, it's imperative that there is a better understanding of how to properly address this issue among Generation Z nurses. The purpose of this research proposal is to explore the most effective strategies to prevent and treat CF in Generation Z nurses working in the hospital.
-
The Implementation of Ketamine-Assisted-Psychotherapy on Healthcare Workers Suffering From Workplace-related PTSD due to COVID-19
Ziluolan Zou
During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, healthcare workers were exposed to a deadly disease with limited knowledge and personal protective equipment, subjected to long hours, forced to ration care due to limited critical care resources and ventilators, and isolated from their families due to fear of spreading the virus. These factors further compounded the occupational stress associated with being a healthcare worker. The literature shows that the physical, mental, and emotional challenges frontline healthcare workers faced during the COVID-19 pandemic had lasting impacts on their mental health. The prevalence of mental health illnesses, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, among healthcare workers indicates that there is a need for further research into effective therapeutic interventions for the treatment of PTSD symptoms. Existing research about Ketamine-Assisted-Psychotherapy for the treatment of PTSD symptoms has shown promising results. However, many existing studies are limited by the absence of a control group and the use of small sample sizes. This research aims to address those gaps and assess the therapeutic potential of KAP as a treatment modality for frontline healthcare workers suffering from PTSD related to COVID-19. Participants will be 100 healthcare workers who worked in critical care during the COVID-19 pandemic and meet the DSM-5 criteria for PTSD. Half of the participants will undergo KAP and the other half will undergo Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, following the same treatment schedule. Participants will fill out validated measure forms before treatment, during treatment, immediately after treatment, and three months after treatment cessation. Data will be analyzed using basic descriptive statistics, compared using t-tests, and reported using confidence intervals, effect sizes, and p-waves. The findings from this study will contribute to developing more effective interventions for mental health illnesses in healthcare workers.
-
Empowering Choices: Patient Education for Contraceptive Confidence
Maria Anns Abraham
The complexity of birth control options significantly impacts women's lives, with hormonal contraceptives being commonly used but often misunderstood. These contraceptives, which contain estrogen and progestin or progestin only, come in various forms such as pills, implants, IUDs, injections, the vaginal ring, and skin patches, offering benefits such as reduced menstrual cramps and ectopic pregnancy risk. However, they can also lead to adverse effects including increased blood pressure, nausea, headaches, breakthrough bleeding, and heightened risk of blood clots, with research indicating a potential link between their use and a decline in mental health. Given the prevalence of depression, particularly in women, compounded by hormonal factors, it is crucial for healthcare providers, nurses, and educators to offer comprehensive education about the various birth control options and their potential effects on mental health. This research aims to investigate whether educating adolescent women about hormonal contraception could impact the knowledge of women using it and how it connects to addressing gaps contributing to poor mental health. An appointed nurse will provide a pre-education assessment, followed by education to adolescent women about hormonal birth control and its side effects, and will also administer a post-education assessment. The means of the two differing variables will be compared using a t-test to ascertain if the education has an effect on the population that was sampled.
-
Effectiveness of Music Therapy in Postoperative Children with Developmental Disabilities
Isabel Arellano
Administration of opioids is the preferred practice to treat postoperative pain in a hospital setting. However, there are disadvantages to this method (Benyamin et al., 2008). Postoperative children with developmental disabilities are difficult to assess and manage pain. A patient analgesic pump (PCA) pump administers low dose opioid to the patient during pain episodes. However, many children with developmental disabilities are unable to adequately verbalize their pain and/or understand the purpose of a PCA. To help with this problem they are given a parent/nurse controlled analgesia (PNCA) pump (Czarnecki et al., 2018). However, due to the unknown safety range and efficacy of the PNCA it may cause potential adverse effects. The purpose of this research proposal is to explore if music therapy can be used as an additive pain management treatment for postoperative pain in children with developmental disabilities. This proposal will consist of a quasi-experimental design with two convenient sample groups (experimental and control). Both groups will be given a pre and post test to measure their Faces, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) scores. The experimental group will receive the therapy intervention. Descriptive statistics will be used to compare the means of the two samples from the pre- and post-tests. Inferential statistics will be used to determine the p-value and if the results are statistically significant. If p-value is less than 0.05 then I can reject the null hypothesis, proving music therapy decreases postoperative pain levels in children with disabilities.
-
Promoting Parental Comfort to Facilitate Conversations on Adolescent Sexual Health and Behaviors
Angelina Jolie Banes and Lauren Liddell
This thesis proposal will investigate the impact of a comprehensive digital sexual health education program on the comfort levels of parents and teens when discussing sensitive topics such as pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The research is guided by Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory, which emphasizes the need to assess and address individuals’ self-care deficits, including the ability to engage in safe and informed sexual behaviors. The research design is a quantitative, quasi-experimental study with a one-group pre and post-test design. The sample consists of 50 parents and 50 teens from Marin County, who will participate in an online intervention using the Media Aware Parent program. The outcomes will be measured by pre and post-intervention surveys and the Parent-Adolescent Communication Scale. The expected results are that the intervention will increase the knowledge, confidence, and comfort levels of parents and teens regarding sexual health issues, and improve the quality of communication between them. The findings could potentially contribute to the development of more effective sexual health education programs and communication strategies for families.
-
The Effect of Delivery Method on Breastfeeding Initiation and Duration
Mariana Carina Benitez
There is a plethora of research focusing on the physical effects of each delivery method on a mother’s ability to initiate and sustain breastfeeding, however, there may be more psychosocial factors that influence a mothers decision to start and continue breastfeeding once they deliver. It is very common to be educated about breastfeeding after the baby has already been delivered, but it is often missed that education before may improve breastfeeding rates and increase mothers' breastfeeding self-efficacy rates. The primary purpose of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of breastfeeding support groups that provide information, guidance, and social support from other breastfeeding mothers prenatally and postpartum. The goal of this is study is to examine how support groups address psychosocial factors that influence a mothers decision to initiate and continue breastfeeding, such as self-efficacy. A single group, pretest/posttest design will be utilized for the study. Participants will include nulliparous pregnant women over the age of 18 from an outpatient obstetrics clinic in San Rafael. They will attend a support group led by other breastfeeding mothers twice, at 35 weeks and 37 weeks. The participants will complete a demographic survey before going into the support group as well as the Prenatal Breast-feeding Self-efficacy Scale. Two weeks after delivery, the mother will complete the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale Short-Form to evaluate their feelings toward breastfeeding postpartum. Statistical analysis will be completed on the tools utilized in the study. The results of this study will demonstrate that attending the support groups will have a positive effect on the self-efficacy of mothers while breastfeeding. Therefore, pregnant women will benefit from support groups led by other breastfeeding mothers as it will increase their individual self-efficacy.
-
Video Game Therapy for ADHD Managment
Wilhelm Alec Sison Beroncal
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) stands out as the most common childhood neurodevelopmental disorder, leading to functional challenges in various aspects of the daily lives of affected young individuals (Bul et al., 2016).
There is no current cure for ADHD, however effective treatments are available through medications. The FDA has authorized two types of medications for managing ADHD in children as young as 6 years old: stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine (e.g. Adderall), and non-stimulant options including Strattera, Intuniv, Kapvay, and Qelbree (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2023).
The choice of treatment is highly individualized to meet the specific needs of each patient and their family (CDC, 2023). It is noteworthy that 69.3% of children with ADHD receive medication as part of their treatment, while 30.7% do not (NSCH, 2011).
While extensive research has established the efficacy of medication-based approaches for ADHD management, there is insufficient research on non-pharmacological alternatives.
-
Chronic Atopic Dermatitis: Symptom Management Using Moisturizers Among Asian American Pediatrics
Ethan J. Brillantes
Background: Atopic Dermatitis (AD), also commonly known as eczema, affects 31.6 million (10%) of the United States Population, with 13% being Asian American or Pacific Islander. A cure is not present for AD; however, the best way to treat AD is with symptom management. While there are many pharmacological treatments that aid with symptom management such as topical or oral corticosteroids, there are also non pharmacological treatments such as moisturizers that can aid with symptom relief of AD as well. Objective: The literature review explores moisturizer use and other non pharmacological methods for symptom management of AD and provides understanding of topical corticosteroids perceptions among the public. This research proposal will investigate whether or not moisturizers provide symptom relief among Asian American pediatric children that have atopic dermatitis. Method: A quantitative, quasi-experimental study over an 8 week period will be used with a sample size of 150 participants. Once the 150 participants are selected, they will be randomly placed in either the control or experimental group. The moisturizer that will be used is Cetaphil Restoraderm Moisturizer (CRM). Both groups will receive education on non pharmacological methods to help manage AD; however, the control group will not receive the moisturizer intervention. The severity of atopic dermatitis will be measured by SCORAD, VAS itch scores, TEWL, and a questionnaire that asks about quality of life before and after the intervention. As a result of the study, there is an expectation that SCORAD, VAS, and TEWL scores will decrease.
-
Garden-Based Nutrition Education for Low Income Hispanic School Children
Larry Bui
Background: Childhood obesity is a pressing public health concern in the United States, with rates continuing to increase in recent years. This problem disproportionately affects Latino children as well as those from low socioeconomic status. It's well established that nutrition knowledge deficiencies and resulting poor dietary habits are some of the most common contributing factors to childhood obesity. Garden-based nutrition education programs have been introduced as a way to remedy this knowledge deficit, however a gap remains as to whether or not this model can be viable for low-income, culturally diverse populations. Aim: The purpose of this literature review is to investigate the importance of diet in reducing childhood obesity while exploring the effects of gardening-based nutrition education on dietary choice improvements. This literature review presents gardening-based nutrition education models as an effective and sustainable method of obesity reduction by establishing a connection between improved dietary knowledge and dietary choices, thus leading to a lower incidence of obesity. Method: A quasi-experimental design with a convenience sample of 200 subjects split into an interventional and a control group. The interventional group will receive an 11-weeks long nutrition education program to accompany the children’s regular school hours. Participants will be between the ages of 7-10, consistent with the ages of third to fifth grade elementary school children. Both groups will take a pre and post test using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) Survey where results will be further plotted along a radar plot in order to examine each individual scoring component of the HEI. Result: The expectation is that the interventional group will see improvements to the HEI scores in each category compared to the control group, with the exception of decreased added sugars.
-
Supportive Interventions for Adults with Needle Phobia
Camille Alyssa Bustos
The focus on addressing needle phobia has primarily been limited to psychology clinics, leaving a gap in support for those receiving injections from health care professionals in the hospital or clinic setting. It is important for health care providers and mental health professionals to work together to address this gap and ensure that individuals with needle phobia have access to the care and treatment they need (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022).
-
Lived Experiences of People with Substance Use Disorder as Healthcare Education to Develop Empathy for this Population
Whitney Bynum
Stigmas that develop among healthcare workers regarding patients with substance use disorder include: "drug-seeking", "violent", and "unmotivated". These beliefs can decrease the quality of care provided and results in less people seeking out needed treatment. Healthy People's 2030 goals include reducing drug and alcohol addiction. In order to do this, healthcare workers need to show empathy and form trusting relationships with this patient population. Building a trusting relationship allows the patient to be more receptive to help and suggestions. Learning the life story of a patient can help healthcare workers develop empathy and reduce negative attitudes.
-
Family-Based Interventions Impact on Pediatric Obesity
Renee Camins
Background: Obesity rates among children in the United States have been on the rise, with 19.7% of children aged 2-19 classified as obese (CDC, 2022). Low socioeconomic status is a risk factor for pediatric obesity,Children from low-income households are more likely to be overweight or obese than their peers from higher economic backgrounds. Obesity can lead to serious and chronic health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and breathing difficulties, and is also a risk factor for leading causes of death in adults including stroke, cardiovascular disease, and cancer (CDC, 2022). Educational interventions and access to exercise resources may offer promising solutions for addressing pediatric obesity and improving health outcomes. Objective: The object of the proposal is to conduct research on obesity trends and educational interventions to combat obesity. The research proposal will then investigate the effectiveness of a specific evidence-based educational intervention and resources provided to families in reducing obesity rates. The proposal intends to determine whether these interventions and resources can contribute to a decline in obesity rates. Method: The proposal will consist of a quasi experimental design. The convenience sample will consist of low-income families with children 4-11 years of age that have a BMI greater than 30. Sample size will include 150 children recruited through pediatric doctors offices in Marin County. The participants will be given a pre test questionnaire, and a post test after the intervention.
-
The Role That Diet and Lifestyle Factor Plays in an Increased Risk for Cardiovascular Disease in Asians and Pacific Islanders
Ethan Caragan
Cardiovascular disease is the leading global cause of mortality, often resulting in heart attacks and strokes due to obstructed blood flow to vital organs. The risk of these events is influenced by dietary choices, smoking, and physical activity. Despite preventative measures, the impact of diet and lifestyle on cardiovascular health varies across ethnic groups. This thesis aims to evaluate how variations in dietary traditions and lifestyle among Asians and Pacific Islanders contribute to increased or decreased cardiovascular disease risks compared to other racial groups. The study focuses on the dietary and lifestyle factors of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in California, involving 5,000 individuals aged 28-50. Participants undergo a baseline assessment, complete initial food frequency and lifestyle surveys, and are observed over five years with follow-up questionnaires. Statistical and subgroup analyses will be employed to explore the relationship between diet, lifestyle, and cardiovascular disease risk. By examining habits, cultural influences, and genetic predispositions, the research seeks to identify factors contributing to cardiovascular disease incidence rates among these populations. The findings of the thesis aims to create interventions, promoting alternative dietary habits and lifestyle modifications to decrease cardiovascular disease rates among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
-
Babies Behind Bars: Separation and Segregation of Incarcerated Mothers from their Children
Cielita Castro Capistrano
Over the past years, the imprisonment rate for women in the United States has been substantially increasing, resulting in continuous higher incarceration rates of women in prison. The United States “has the highest incarceration rate of women in the world, with over 205,000 women currently behind bars in either state and federal prisons or jails and another million on probation or parole” (Clarke et. al., 2013). Furthermore, the prisons and jails here in America are primarily focusing on the incarcerated male population leading to these institutions not prioritizing the proper health and safety protocols for these incarcerated women, who are mostly mothers. Incarcerated mothers are a vulnerable group of people in this society that often comes with a long history and experience of mental health problems, unemployment, poverty, sexual, emotional, physical, and mental abuse. This paper is conducted using a systematic search of different electronic databases and search engines that provided enough information to answer the research question for this literature review.
The purpose of this thesis is to explore and inform people regarding how important resources are for the future of the entire community as a whole. The gathered information in this thesis will be utilized to compose a proposal on how the entire society as a whole can work together with focusing on helping these people in achieving a second chance to have a better life. Focusing on these vulnerable populations will lessen the gaps that the society have been trying to fill that they cannot successfully fulfill since they need to start focusing on the cause of the problem, rather than interventions after a problem has already been created. The study design that this study will conduct will be a qualitative survey study that will be conducted using an existing thematic analysis to see if there will be a major impact on giving incarcerated mothers prolonged time with their newborn baby during their sentence.
-
Medical Cannabis in Pediatric Patients with Chronic Pain and Diseases
Marissa Colombo
Pediatric chronic pain has seen a disturbing rise which ends up affecting the child’s routine and impacting their family’s lives. Medical cannabis has Food and Drug Administration-approved derivatives, yet the studies that focus on medical cannabis do not discuss targeting pain in pediatric patients. Children who experience chronic diseases and treatment-resistant pain are not normally offered medical cannabis as a treatment option which needs to change. The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of medical cannabis within the pediatric population. If children experience pain that is similar to adults, withholding techniques that can help alleviate their pain should be avoided. The study will assess how pediatric patients adapt to medical cannabis. The proposed research design is a quantitative, test-retest study focused on pediatric patients who are 3-12 years old and have been diagnosed with a chronic disease, treatment-resistant pain, or both. There will be a collaboration with Bay Area pediatric outpatient offices. The study will use the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale and Likert Scale. There are many ethical considerations surrounding this study since pediatric patients are a vulnerable population due to their varying mental capacities. Post-treatment, patients and parents will re-evaluate pain and daily living. Statistical analysis will help identify areas for further research regarding different demographics. The results are anticipated to provide valuable contributions to pediatric pain management.
-
Early Diagnosis of Celiac Disease in Pediatric Patients
Nicole Gertsberg
Celiac disease affects about 1% of the population; however, the indistinct symptoms make it difficult to diagnose. Children are vulnerable populations who are able to experience this disease, but go severely undiagnosed. As a result, when this population matures, additional health issues arise such as other autoimmune diseases. Different studies were done regarding diet modifications, gaps in research, and treatment options for Celiac disease. This is the reason to investigate whether early diagnosis in childhood will achieve better health outcomes through diet modifications. A cohort study will be performed on Celiac disease patients, ages 5 to 15 years old at outpatient clinics at UCSF. This study will compare two groups: diet modifications starting at 5 years old to diagnose Celiac disease and diet modifications at 15 years old to diagnose Celiac disease. The groups will be examined for health outcomes related to Celiac disease 10 years from the start of the study to see if earlier diagnosis made a significant difference. The data will be collected through patient reports of symptoms and medical office visits. The results, 10 years from now, should show no extra health issues. In conclusion, the clinical implications of this study should show that early diagnosis in pediatric patients correlates with the decreased number of medical problems as they grow up. Due to this research, more extensive medical doctor visits can determine Celiac disease much earlier as a prevention method to Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.
