LACTOSE-INTOLERANCE IN IDIOPATHIC ULCERATIVE-COLITIS IN NORTH INDIANS

The incidence of lactose intolerance in 60 patients with idiopathic ul cerative colitis (IUC) from northern India and the effect of disease a ctivity and extent of colonic involvement on the occurrence of lactose intolerance, was studied. Twenty controls matched for age and sex wer e also studied using 50 g lactose hydrogen breath test. The incidence of lactose intolerance in patients with IUC (41.7%) was no different f rom that in the control group (40%). There was however, a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the incidence of lactose intolerance in patie nts with active colitis (59.1%) as compared to those with quiescent di sease (31.5%).