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Abstract : |
lntroduction:The symptoms of lactose intolerance (U) are non-specific and may resemble the symptoms of other gastrointestinal disorders, functional as well as organic. Aim of study: The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of U in adults with non-specific abdominal complaints such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain, flatulence, cramps and excessive gas. Material and methods: 110 adults were included in the study. The study population was divided into two groups: group I consisted of 90 patients with non-specific gastrointestinal complaints, group II comprised 20 healthy persons without symptoms. Ahydrogen breath test was performed in all study participants. The diagnosis of U was based on a positive result of the hydrogen breath test as well as symptoms oceurring after ingestion of lactose. In patients with non-specific gastrointestinal complaints (group I), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was diagnosed on the basis of Rome II Criteria and organie gastrointestinal disorders otherthan U were diagnosed based on the results of laboratory and imaging studies. Results: Lactose intolerance was presentin 55.6% of patients with non-specific gastrointestinal complaints, which is statistically significantly more often compared with healthy controls (p<0.001). Non-specific abdominal complaints were attributed to organie gastrointestinal disease in 36.7% of patients, and to IBS in 34.4% of patients. Lactose intolerance was statistically significantly more frequent than other organic disorders responsible for gastrointestinal symptoms and also more frequent than IBS (p<0.05). Conclusions: Lactose intolerance is frequently found in patients with non-specific gastrointestinal complaints such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain, flatulence, cramps and excessive gas., |
