One-point urinary lactose-tolerance test
Arola, H.; Koivula, T.; Isokoski, M.
Lancet 1(8273): 676
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0140-6736 PMID: 6121979 Document Number: 189715
A method is described for the diagnosis of lactose malabsorption involving analysis of a urine sample. Patients were given simultaneously ethanol at 150 mg/kg and 50 g lactose dissolved in 400 ml water. Blood and urine samples were collected 40 min later and galactose contents were determined using a galactose oxidase kit ('Galax'; Kabi AB, Sweden). The 1-point lactose tolerance test described by Isokoski et al. [DSA 34, 3229] was used in assessing the urinary method. Of 70 patients examined, 14 were lactose malabsorbers based on blood galactose concn. and a cut-off point of 0.3 mM. Using a cut-off point of 0.5 mM for urinary galactose, specificity of the method was 91% and sensitivity was 93%. It is suggested that better urinary galactose measurement could further improve this method.