بررسي ميزان كمبود الكتاز روده و رشد مفرط باكتري‌ها در بيماران مبتال به سدرم روده تحريك‌پذير

Lactase Deficiency and Bacterial Overgrowth in IBS Patients

ackground: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal (GI) disorder and is the most frequent cause of patientsʹ referral to GI clinics. Similarly, lactose intolerance is also another prevalent disorder which presents with some clinical manifestations mimicking IBS. So, diagnosis and differentiation of these entities are so important and play a main role in the treatment of patients. Methods: The study was conducted on patients who had been diagnosed to have IBS based on Rome II criteria, visited in a GI clinic. All patients were assessed for lactase deficiency with H2 breath test and consequently divided into 3 subgroups of negative, borderline and positive. Then, regarding their clinical symptoms and H2 breath test results, they experienced 3 different management protocols of lactose free diet, antibiotic therapy and observation for 2 weeks. At the end of this period, they were evaluated for their symptoms again. Findings: Ninety-four eligible patients (39.4% males and 60.6% females with an age range of 24-49 years) were enrolled in this study during 2 years. 35.0% and 27.0% of patients were diagnosed to have lactase deficiency and intestinal bacterial overgrowth, respectively. The other 38.0% were normal. After undergoing management protocols, abdominal distension and gas passing decreased significantly. Conclusion: Intestinal lactase deficiency and bacterial overgrowth could accompany IBS. Given the feasibility and simplicity of H? breath test for the diagnosis of these disorders, this test is strongly recommended for the evaluation of IBS patients.