Lactose intolerance in adults with chronic unspecific abdominal complaints
Bianchi Porro, G.; Parente, F.; Sangaletti, O.
Hepato-Gastroenterology 30(6): 254-257
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0172-6390 PMID: 6676146 Document Number: 212443
Hospitalized patients with unspecific abdominal complaints were investigated for lactose malabsorption; one group of 46 patients complained primarily of colicky abdominal pain, and a second group of 31 presented with dyspepsia as the predominant symptom. Incidence of beta -D-galactosidase deficiency was 58.4% among all 77 hospitalized patients, and lactose malabsorption was found in 34 (74%) of the 1st group of patients and in 11 (35.5%) of the 2nd group. In the first group, 24 of the 34 lactose malabsorbers had a prior awareness that milk ingestion would cause abdominal discomfort. In a group of 40 healthy non-hospitalized subjects, lactose malabsorption was diagnosed in 15 (37.5%).