Intestinal absorption in Saudi Arabia: an evaluation of the one hour blood xylose test.

The screening value of the one-hour blood xylose test, corrected for body surface area, was prospectively studied in Saudi Arabian adults and children under investigation for suspected intestinal malabsorption. Sensitivity of discrimination between patients with and without upper small bowel disease was 91%, compared to 85% for the five-hour urine xylose test. Primary small bowel disorder was rare.