Prevalence of lactase persistent/non-persistent genotypes and milk consumption in a young population in north-west Russia.

Aim: To estimate the prevalence of the lactase non-persistent genotype (C/C-13910) in a northern Russian population in accordance with ethnicity, and to evaluate self-reported milk consumption depending on lactase activity.

Methods: Blood samples for genotyping lactase activity, defining the C/T-13910 variant by polymerase chain reaction, and direct sequencing were taken from 231 medical students of Russian origin aged 17-26 years. We analyzed milk product consumption by questionnaire which was specially designed for the estimation of milk consumption and abdominal complaints.