LACTASE DEFICIENCY IN DYSPEPTIC PATIENTS

A comparative study was carried out to compare prevalence of lactase d eficiency among people with chronic non-specific dyspepsia and a norma l population. A statistically higher prevalence in the former group wa s found. Fifty patients with positive results in the symptomatic group were put on a lactose-free diet. Complete relief was obtained in 10 p atients and partial improvement in 16 more. The authors of this study recommend some type of lactose tolerance test for any patient with lon g-standing non-specific dyspepsia.