Lactose intolerance in adults with chronic unspecific abdominal complaints

77 hospitalized patients with chronic unspecific abdominal complaints, in whom any other organic disease had been previously excluded, were investigated for lactose malabsorption; they were subdivided into two groups: 46 patients complaining primarily of colicky abdominal pain and/or intermittent diarrhoea (group 1) and 31 patients presenting with dyspepsia as the predominant symptom (group 2). To establish the exact prevalence of isolated lactase deficiency in the healthy adult population served by our hospital, 40 Italian adult healthy subjects were also studied. The prevalence of lactose malabsorption was significantly higher (p less than 0.005) in patients of the 1st group than in patients of the 2nd group, and in the healthy adult population seen at our hospital (74% vs 35.5% and 37.5%, respectively). Furthermore a high prevalence of lactose intolerance, determined by means of a three-week diet trial (lactose free-diet versus normal diet), was documented among lactose malabsorbers of the 1st group. We concluded therefore that lactose intolerance is a factor in some Italian adult patients who suffer from long-standing aspecific abdominal discomfort, and it should be always considered in these patients, especially when colicky abdominal pain and diarrhoea are present, before the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome is made.