The Role of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Lactose Intolerance (LION)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most frequently diagnosed gastroenterological disorders and can lead to significant deterioration of quality of life and an increase in health care and societal costs. Patients with lactose intolerance are unable to fully digest lactose caused by lactose malabsorption. The undigested lactose moves into the large intestine, fermented by bacteria, and causes bloating, gas, and diarrhea symptoms. The two, most frequently used diagnostic methods are the lactose H2 breath test (LHBT) and the lactose tolerance test (LTT). The restriction of lactose input or the replacement of the lactase enzyme can lead to the relief of the symptoms. Lactose intolerance is a common disorder among patients with IBS, it is more frequent than in the general population.

There are no studies that assess the link between lactose intolerance and IBS. Our primary objective is the examination of the relationship between lactose intolerance and IBS with or without the replacement of lactase enzyme. Our secondary objectives are to compare the lactase/beta-galactosidase enzyme replacement with placebo with the evaluation of a TSS (Total symptom score), VAS (Visual Analog Scale), QoL (Quality of life) questionnaires. The other secondary outcomes are to compare the severity of baseline symptoms during and after lactose administration.

Patients diagnosed with IBS according to the Rome IV criteria will test with LTT and LHBT.

Who has positive LTT and LHBT will randomize into two groups: (1) alverine-citrate + simethicone and lactase; (2) alverin-citrate + simethicone with placebo.

Inclusion criteria

• age 18-80 years
• patients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome based on the ROME IV. criteria
• positive LHBT (lactose H2 breath test) and LTT (lactose tolerance test) results
• negative abdominal ultrasound/CAT scan/MRI results within one year
• signed the informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• organic gastroenterological disorders which can explain symptoms (e.g. positive serological screening: anti-gliadin IgG / IgA, anti-tissue transglutaminase IgG / IgA, high level of fecal calprotectin tested by endoscopy or positive colonoscopy for IBD, currently active diverticulitis
• Alarm symptoms: fever (> 38 Co), anaemia (Hgb < 120 g/l), unintended weight loss (> 4.5 kg / 3 months), gastrointestinal bleeding (hematemesis, hematochesia, melena)
• cardiac failure (NYHA III-IV)
• liver cirrhosis (Child-Pugh C)
• active malignancy
• major abdominal surgery in the history
• pregnant or breastfeeding women
• any circumstances which can lead to false results of LHBT and LTT: cigarette smoking or physical exercise within 2 hours before the test, ingestion of dietary fibers on the evening before the test, recent use of antibiotics, lung disease, baseline H2 concentration in the exhaled air is higher than 20 ppm, not properly treated diabetes mellitus, following lactose restricted or another special diet within 1 week prior to study enrolment (ingestion of less than 12 g lactose - less than 250 ml milk - per day)
• small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO): if there is a rapid increase of H2 level in the exhaled air (≥20 ppm above baseline within 90 minutes), SIBO is suspected and antibiotic therapy will be started (peroral rifaximin for 5 days) after negative Helicobacter pylori serology. After this procedure, lactulose H2 breath test will be performed to exclude SIBO (≥20 ppm H2 rise only after 90 min). In case of negative lactulose H2 breath test, another LHBT will be carried out
• slow oro-cecal transit: clinical signs and typical findings on the tests (the LHBT is normal, but the increase of blood glucose level is less than 1.1 mmol/l and/or no H2 rise during lactulose H2 breath test)
• milk allergy (positive IgE test)