BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown that the knowledge about coeliac disease (CD) is not satisfactory among healthcare professionals (HCP). The aim of our study was to assess the knowledge of HCPs about CD in the Danube region. METHODS: HCPs from 8 countries in the Danube region were asked to complete the web-based questionnaire about CD. Scores of HCPs were compared according to their speciality, work experience and country of residence. The results were compared with the results of a similar study conducted in Central Europe within the Focus IN CD project in 2016. RESULTS: Questionnaire was completed by 799 HCPs from Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia. Mean score achieved by HCPs was 52.2%. Paediatric gastroenterologists scored the highest (75.3%). Comparing the data with the study conducted in Central Europe in 2016, we found a significant rise (p < 0.001) in the knowledge of paediatric gastroenterologists. Also, HCPs who previously took part in the Focus IN CD project, achieved higher score (61.1% vs. 50.8%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The knowledge about CD among HCPs in Danube region is not satisfactory. There has been a significant increase in the knowledge of paediatric gastroenterologists, showing the benefit of various awareness raising activities that were carried out recently.

CeliVita Living with Celiac Disease Zagreb Croatia

Coeliac Disease Centre Heim Pal National Paediatric Institute Budapest Hungary

Department of Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutritional Disorders University Children's Hospital Belgrade Serbia

Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Medical University of Graz Graz Austria

Department of Paediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders 1st Faculty of Medicine Charles University General University Hospital Prague Prague Czech Republic

Department of Paediatrics University of Medicine and Pharmacy and National Institute for Mother and Child Health Alessandrescu Rusescu Bucharest Romania

Faculty of Medicine Paediatric Department University of Maribor Maribor Slovenia

Medical Faculty Department of Paediatrics Coeliac Disease Study Group University of Debrecen Debrecen Hungary

Municipality of Maribor Project development office Maribor Slovenia

Paediatric Department Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition Unit University Medical Centre Maribor Maribor Slovenia

Paediatric Department Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova Chisinau Republic of Moldova

Referral Center for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition Children's Hospital Zagreb Zagreb Croatia

Serbian Coeliac Society Belgrade Serbia

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