The clinical relevance of lactose malabsorption in irritable bowel syndrome

Quantifying the ‘hidden’ lactose in drugs used for the treatment of gastrointestinal conditions

“…LI has to be excluded before the diagnosis of IBS is made. 33,36 Coeliac disease is a life-long inflammatory condition of the GI tract that affects the small intestine in genetically susceptible individuals, which improves morphologically when gluten, the causative agent, is removed from the diet. It is much more common than previously suspected; recent studies show a prevalence of up to one in 100 of the UK population.…”

Subjective lactose intolerance in apparently healthy adults in southern Iran: Is it related to irritable bowel syndrome?

“…[10] Our results are also in accordance with other studies using hydrogen breath test. [23,24] Vernia et al also noticed almost identical results of lactose breath test in patients with IBS and subjects with self-reported milk intolerance and suggested that the two conditions overlap to such an extent that the clinical approach should be the same. [25] Several other studies, however, reported no association between IBS and LI or maldigestion.…”

Diarrhea- and constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome

“…• A double-blind investigation of reported food intolerances suggests that true intolerance occurs in approximately 15% of patients who report an exacerbation of their symptoms with a particular food [54]. • Lactose intolerance has been reported in up to 25% of patients [55], although the number of patients with clinically relevant malabsorption is likely to be less. A trial of a lactose-free diet or a lactose tolerance test identifies patients that are likely to benefit from this approach.…”