Miguel Glatstein1,2, Shimon Reif3, Dennis Scolnik4, Liat Rom3, Anat Yerushalmy-Feler3, Margalit Dali-Levy3, Shlomi Cohen3. 1. Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Dana-Dwek Children Hospital, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. 2. Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. 3. Pediatric Gastroenterology Unit, Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. 4. Divisions of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Lactose malabsorption affects 70% of the world population. The hydrogen breath test (HBT) is used clinically to test for this condition. The aim of our study was to describe the relationship between symptoms experienced before and during the HBT and test results. METHODS: We included children who underwent the HBT in the pediatric gastroenterology unit at Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital during a 6-month period. Previous symptoms and those experienced before and after the HBT were assessed using a questionnaire and a validated pain scale. RESULTS: Ninety-five children were included in the study, and 66.3% had a positive HBT. Diarrhea and flatulence during the test were significantly more frequent in the group with a positive HBT compared to those with a negative test (31.7% vs. 9.4%, P = 0.016 and 69.8% vs. 40.6%, P = 0.006, respectively). The frequency of abdominal pain and bloating was similar. CONCLUSIONS: Diarrhea and flatulence during the HBT are the most specific symptoms of lactose intolerance. Abdominal pain should not be automatically attributed to lactose intolerance even in the presence of lactose malabsorption. Coupling the HBT with a real-time questionnaire facilitates interpretation of results and subsequent recommendations.
BACKGROUND:Lactose malabsorption affects 70% of the world population. The hydrogen breath test (HBT) is used clinically to test for this condition. The aim of our study was to describe the relationship between symptoms experienced before and during the HBT and test results. METHODS: We included children who underwent the HBT in the pediatric gastroenterology unit at Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital during a 6-month period. Previous symptoms and those experienced before and after the HBT were assessed using a questionnaire and a validated pain scale. RESULTS: Ninety-five children were included in the study, and 66.3% had a positive HBT. Diarrhea and flatulence during the test were significantly more frequent in the group with a positive HBT compared to those with a negative test (31.7% vs. 9.4%, P = 0.016 and 69.8% vs. 40.6%, P = 0.006, respectively). The frequency of abdominal pain and bloating was similar. CONCLUSIONS:Diarrhea and flatulence during the HBT are the most specific symptoms of lactose intolerance. Abdominal pain should not be automatically attributed to lactose intolerance even in the presence of lactose malabsorption. Coupling the HBT with a real-time questionnaire facilitates interpretation of results and subsequent recommendations.
Authors: Ralf G Heine; Fawaz AlRefaee; Prashant Bachina; Julie C De Leon; Lanlan Geng; Sitang Gong; José Armando Madrazo; Jarungchit Ngamphaiboon; Christina Ong; Jossie M Rogacion Journal: World Allergy Organ J Date: 2017-12-12 Impact factor: 4.084
Authors: Heinz F Hammer; Mark R Fox; Jutta Keller; Silvia Salvatore; Guido Basilisco; Johann Hammer; Loris Lopetuso; Marc Benninga; Osvaldo Borrelli; Dan Dumitrascu; Bruno Hauser; Laszlo Herszenyi; Radislav Nakov; Daniel Pohl; Nikhil Thapar; Marc Sonyi Journal: United European Gastroenterol J Date: 2021-08-25 Impact factor: 4.623