Juan J Aragón, Carmen Hermida, Oscar H Martínez-Costa, Valentina Sánchez, Igor Martín, José J Sánchez, Rosa Codoceo, José M Cano, Ana Cano, Laura Crespo, Yolanda Torres, Francisco J García, Alfonso Fernández-Mayoralas, Jesús Solera, Pilar Martínez
GOALS AND BACKGROUND: Hypolactasia affects over half of the world population. Diagnosis remains problematic as currently available tests, such as the hydrogen breath test, have low reliability and lactose intolerance symptoms are unspecific. We evaluated the diagnostic performance and safety of a new noninvasive diagnostic test based on urine or serum measurement of D-xylose after lactase cleavage of orally administered 4-galactosylxylose (gaxilose). STUDY: In a multicentre, open-label, nonrandomized, phase IIb-III study, consecutive patients with symptoms suggestive of lactose intolerance sequentially underwent intestinal biopsy for direct measurement of lactase activity (reference standard), hydrogen breath test, and blood glucose test after lactose challenge, 4- and 5-hour urine-based gaxilose test, and blood-based gaxilose test...
January 2014: Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology