Related Experiment Videos
Lactose intolerance and irritable bowel syndrome
1Division of Digestive Disease and Nutrition, University of Massachusetts Memorial Health Care, Worcester 01655, USA.
Nutrition Reviews
|November 12, 1998
Summary
Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) report more lactose intolerance symptoms, even if they don't have lactose maldigestion. This suggests IBS symptom perception plays a key role in subjective lactose intolerance.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Digestive Health
- Clinical Nutrition
Background:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder.
- Lactose intolerance is a frequent complaint among individuals with digestive issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between subjective lactose intolerance and objective lactose maldigestion in patients diagnosed with IBS.
- To determine if IBS influences the perception of lactose intolerance independently of maldigestion.
Main Methods:
- The study compared reported symptoms of lactose intolerance with results from lactose maldigestion tests in a cohort of IBS patients.
- Utilized validated questionnaires for symptom assessment and standardized diagnostic methods for maldigestion.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in subjective lactose intolerance was observed in IBS patients.
- No corresponding increase in the prevalence of lactose maldigestion was found in the same patient group.
- This indicates a disconnect between perceived intolerance and physiological maldigestion.
Conclusions:
- Subjective lactose intolerance is heightened in individuals with IBS, irrespective of underlying lactose maldigestion.
- The findings suggest that factors beyond maldigestion, potentially related to visceral hypersensitivity or altered gut-brain axis in IBS, contribute to perceived lactose intolerance.
- Further research into the mechanisms of symptom perception in IBS is warranted.