Lactose malabsorption and intolerance in Italians

Abstract

Lactose malabsorption was assessed by the hydrogen breath test in 40 Italian patients with irritable bowel syndrome and 42 controls without abdominal disturbances. Sixty-five percent of patients were “low milk consumers” (0–250 ml milk per day) compared with 38% of controls (PPP<0.05). During a four-month lactose-free diet as the only treatment 7.5% of patients became symptomfree (and remained so for a further eight-month diet), 52.5% improved, and 40% showed no change.