[Lactose malabsorption in patients with inflammatory bowel disease without activity: would it be necessary to exclude lactose products in the diet of all patients?].

BACKGROUND

There are inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients avoid lacteal products without evidence of lactose malabsorption, probably because of incorrect patient perceptions and arbitrary advice from physicians and diet books.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prevalence of lactose malabsorption in patients with IBP.

METHODS

In 18 patients with Crohńs disease and 24 with ulcerative colitis and 25 controls the prevalence of lactose intolerance, as measured by lactose breath hydrogen tests.

RESULTS

Observed deficiencies of absorption of the lactose in 7 (16.6%) patients with IBP and 5 (20%) subjects control.

CONCLUSIONS

Not all the patients with IBD are intolerant to the lactose by the suppression of the lacteal produts must not be generalized in the diet of these patients.