Author information
- 1
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, General Hospital Steyr, Steyr, Austria; Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital Steyr, Steyr, Austria; Clinical Institute of Medical and Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
- 2
- Clinical Institute of Medical and Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
- 3
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, General Hospital Steyr, Steyr, Austria.
- 4
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
- 5
- Practice for General Internal Medicine, Bruck an der Mur, Austria; Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Abstract
The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the concomitant prevalence rates for lactose malabsorption (LM), fructose malabsorption (FM), and histamine intolerance (HI) in patients with so far unexplained gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. A total of 439 outpatients, who presented unclear abdominal discomfort, underwent lactose (50 g) and fructose (25 g) hydrogen (H2) breath tests. Additionally, serum diamine oxidase (DAO) measurements were performed. Individuals with low serum DAO activity (<10 U/mL), GI symptoms, and response to histamine-free diet were diagnosed with HI. Of all 439 patients, 341 (77.7%) were found with 7 various GI conditions. In total, 94 (21.4%), 31 (7.1%), and 100 (22.8%) individuals presented LM, FM, or HI only, whereas 116 (26.4%) patients showed an overlap of GI entities investigated here. Interestingly, 89 out of 241 (36.9%) individuals with carbohydrate malabsorption were also diagnosed with HI (LM + HI: 52 [11.8%], FM + HI: 23 [5.2%], and LM + FM + HI 14 [3.2%] individuals). In conclusion different combinations of LM, FM, and HI are present in individuals with unclear abdominal discomfort/pain. In clinical practice we suggest testing for LM, FM, and additional HI in the diagnostic work-up of these patients. Depending on these various diagnoses possible, patients should get an individualized dietary advice.
- PMID:
- 28042564
- PMCID:
- PMC5155086
- DOI:
- 10.1155/2016/4893501