Lactose malabsorption in systemic sclerosis

Abstract

Our study underscores the fact that lactose malabsorption often occurs in patients with systemic sclerosis. Furthermore, our findings highlight the fact that lactose breath test is a helpful, noninvasive method, by identifying the group of patients with systemic sclerosis with symptomatic lactose malabsorption that may benefit from a reduction in lactose intake.

Nutrition Management in Patients With Chronic Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders: A Systematic Literature Review

“…Following a 5‐week lactose‐free oral diet, symptomatic patients reported an overall reduction in GI symptoms ( P < 0.002) . Although results were significant, from quality assessment, the study has a moderate risk of bias due to poor study design …”

“…A case‐control study indicated that the prevalence of lactose malabsorption was over 30% higher in patients with SSc compared with the controls ( P = 0.004) . Following a 5‐week lactose‐free oral diet, symptomatic patients reported an overall reduction in GI symptoms ( P < 0.002) . Although results were significant, from quality assessment, the study has a moderate risk of bias due to poor study design …”

“…Nutrition interventions and outcomes in SSc are shown in Table . A case‐control study indicated that the prevalence of lactose malabsorption was over 30% higher in patients with SSc compared with the controls ( P = 0.004) . Following a 5‐week lactose‐free oral diet, symptomatic patients reported an overall reduction in GI symptoms ( P < 0.002) .…”

“…24 Although results were significant, from quality assessment, the study has a moderate risk of bias due to poor study design. 24 The 2 other studies retrospectively analyzed cases that prescribed home parenteral nutrition. 25,26 Quality scores show that the most recent study has a low risk of bias, 26 though the other had poorly reported outcomes.…”

“…Overall, the majority of studies scored highly on the Joanna Briggs checklists, indicating a low level of bias within the study design, methodology, and analysis. Two studies that focused on SSc scored only 50% 24 and 55%, 25 indicating a high risk of bias.…”