Lactose intolerance in idiopathic ulcerative colitis in north Indians

The incidence of lactose intolerance in 60 patients with idiopathic ulcerative colitis (IUC) from northern India and the effect of disease activity and extent of colonic involvement on the occurrence of lactose intolerance, was studied. Twenty controls matched for age and sex were also studied using 50 g lactose hydrogen breath test. The incidence of lactose intolerance in patients with IUC (41.7%) was no different from that in the control group (40%). There was however, a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the incidence of lactose intolerance in patients with active colitis (59.1%) as compared to those with quiescent disease (31.5%).