The Effects Of Lactose Intake And Psychological Factors On Digestive Symptoms In Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Objectives:To assess impact of lactose intake,psychological factors and recent life stress on digestive symptoms in patients with Irritable bowel syndrome; to compare the quality of life correlates with the abdominal symptoms between patients with Irritable bowel syndrome and non-gastrointestinal disorders.Methods:A total of 442 patients with IBS and 119 non-gastrointestinal disorders were asked to complete questionnaires, including the Rome III questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Recent Life Changes Questionnaire(RLCQ) and the "B.E.S.T" questionnaire which represents the quality of life correlates with the abdominal symptoms.Results:IBS patients had lower lactose intake in milk product than controls (p<0.01), but no significant differences between total lactose intake and lactose intake in non-milk product (p>0.05).There are higher incidence of Subjective lactose intolerance (SLI) in IBS patients than controls. IBS patients had a higher score of HA DS, RLCQ and lower score of the "B.E.S.T" questionnaire which represents the quality of life correlates with the abdominal symptoms than controls.Conclusion:The intake of lactose in milk product and psychological factors may be the risk factors on digestive symptoms in patients with IBS. The higher incidence of Subjective lactose intolerance in IBS patients than controls indicates that abdominal symptoms in IBS patients may be caused by the ingestion of lactose, which causes lactose intolerance. Compared with the non-GI controls, the quality of life impairment is more significant in IBS patients.