Lactose Malabsorption

Lactose intolerance (LI) is considered the clinical syndrome caused by lactose malabsorption (LM). It is possible to identify four causes of lactase deficiency defining four different types of LM: primary (genetic), secondary (acquired), congenital (alactasia), and developmental (in premature infants, so reversible). The aim of this protocol is to investigate through an anonymous online survey the knowledge of the Italian population on clinical, pathophysiological, diagnostic and therapeutic issues of lactose intolerance. Data collected will be divulgated through a publication for both people with IL and nutritionists, enriched with tables and flow charts, to improve the knowledge on lactose intolerance and to support people suffering from this condition. The results of this survey will guide subjects suspected of suffering from lactose intolerance towards a correct diagnosis and a better management.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disease. There is no well-defined pharmacological treatment. This clinical trial is a prospective, double-blind, two-armed randomized controlled, single-center trial. It is created to examine the role of IBS in patients with lactose intolerance. IBS patients undergo lactose H2 breath test (LHBT) and lactose tolerance test (LTT). Those with positive LTT and LHBT will be randomized into two groups: alverine-citrate + simethicone and lactase group (1) or alverin-citrate + simethicone with the placebo group (2). The goal of this study is to compare the lactase enzyme with placebo in IBS patients with lactose intolerance.