L Beyerlein1, D Pohl, F Delco, B Stutz, M Fried, R Tutuian. 1. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Lactase deficiency is a common condition responsible for various abdominal symptoms. Lactose hydrogen breath test is currently the gold standard in diagnosing lactose intolerance. AIM: To assess sensitivity and specificity of symptoms developed after oral lactose challenge. METHODS: Intensity of nausea, abdominal pain, borborygmi, bloating and diarrhoea was recorded every 15 min up to 3 h after ingestion of 50 g lactose in patients with positive (i.e. breath H2-concentration > or =20 p.p.m. above baseline) and negative lactose hydrogen breath test. RESULTS: Between July 1999 and December 2005, 1127 patients (72% females) underwent lactose hydrogen breath test. A positive result was found in 376 (33%). Sensitivity of individual symptoms ranged from 39% (diarrhoea) to 70% (bloating) while specificity ranged from 69% (bloating) to 90% (diarrhoea). A positive lactose hydrogen breath test was found in 21% of patients with one symptom, 40% of patients with two symptoms, 44% of patients with three symptoms, 67% of patients with four symptoms and 82% of patients with five symptoms. Symptom intensity was significantly higher for each symptom in the positive group. CONCLUSION: Evaluating symptoms developed after ingestion of 50 g lactose can be used as a simple screening test to select patients who need to be referred for lactose intolerance testing.
BACKGROUND:Lactase deficiency is a common condition responsible for various abdominal symptoms. Lactosehydrogen breath test is currently the gold standard in diagnosing lactose intolerance. AIM: To assess sensitivity and specificity of symptoms developed after oral lactose challenge. METHODS: Intensity of nausea, abdominal pain, borborygmi, bloating and diarrhoea was recorded every 15 min up to 3 h after ingestion of 50 g lactose in patients with positive (i.e. breath H2-concentration > or =20 p.p.m. above baseline) and negative lactosehydrogen breath test. RESULTS: Between July 1999 and December 2005, 1127 patients (72% females) underwent lactosehydrogen breath test. A positive result was found in 376 (33%). Sensitivity of individual symptoms ranged from 39% (diarrhoea) to 70% (bloating) while specificity ranged from 69% (bloating) to 90% (diarrhoea). A positive lactosehydrogen breath test was found in 21% of patients with one symptom, 40% of patients with two symptoms, 44% of patients with three symptoms, 67% of patients with four symptoms and 82% of patients with five symptoms. Symptom intensity was significantly higher for each symptom in the positive group. CONCLUSION: Evaluating symptoms developed after ingestion of 50 g lactose can be used as a simple screening test to select patients who need to be referred for lactose intolerance testing.
Authors: Benjamin Misselwitz; Daniel Pohl; Heiko Frühauf; Michael Fried; Stephan R Vavricka; Mark Fox Journal: United European Gastroenterol J Date: 2013-06 Impact factor: 4.623
Authors: Claire L Jansson-Knodell; Edward J Krajicek; Monica Ramakrishnan; Nicholas A Rogers; Robert Siwiec; Matt Bohm; Thomas Nowak; John Wo; Carolyn Lockett; Huiping Xu; Dennis A Savaiano; Andrea Shin Journal: Dig Dis Sci Date: 2022-03-23 Impact factor: 3.199