Introduction: Lactose intolerance is a common medical condition characterized by malabsorption of lactose. Despite the considerable impact of lactose intolerance on affected persons, studies on its awareness are limited. The aim of study was to assess the awareness of lactose intolerance and its associated factors among the general population of Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia. The prevalence of lactose intolerance in the study population was also assessed.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Saudi Arabia. An online questionnaire, which included 15 questions on lactose intolerance awareness and the risk factors for lactose intolerance, was administered. The prevalence of lactose intolerance was assessed using a validated five-question screening tool. The student's t-test and analysis of variance were used to compare quantitative variables, whereas the chi-square test was used to determine the association between qualitative variables.
Results: A total of 2150 adult participants were included. The mean percentage of correct answers to questions regarding lactose intolerance awareness was 28.9 % (±21.9). Participants with a previous lactose intolerance diagnosis had the highest lactose intolerance knowledge scores (46.9 [±18.3]). Regarding the prevalence of lactose intolerance, 14.7 % of the participants responded that they were likely lactose intolerant, whereas 7.3 % reported that they were diagnosed with lactose intolerance by a physician. Results of the assessment performed using the screening tool, which had a sensitivity of 47 % in this study, showed that women were more likely to have lactose intolerance than men. In addition, women and younger participants had greater knowledge of lactose intolerance than men and older participants.
Conclusion: The Saudi Arabian population has a low awareness of lactose intolerance. The findings of this study provide valuable information regarding level of lactose intolerance awareness among the Saudi population and can be used for the development of effective programs for increasing lactose intolerance awareness in Saudi Arabia.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40272 | DOI Listing |
Am J Med Genet A
January 2025
Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are common in patients with Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS), but their prevalence and possible causes are not yet fully known. This study assessed GI symptoms' prevalence and their possible origin by performing a predefined set of tests in adult WBS patients. Laboratory tests and a questionnaire were administered to assess GI symptoms and dietary habits.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Surg Case Rep
January 2025
Department of General Surgery, Royal Perth Hospital, 197 Wellington Street, Perth, Western Australia 6000, Australia.
Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) is a challenging complication following sphincter-preserving rectal surgery, characterized by bowel dysfunctions such as urgency, frequency, and incontinence. This case series investigates the potential role of lactose intolerance in exacerbating LARS symptoms. Three patients who developed LARS after rectal resections showed persistent symptoms despite conventional management with bulking agents, physiotherapy, and loperamide.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFood Technol Biotechnol
December 2024
National Technological Institute of Mexico / Technological Institute of Tepic, Av. Tecnológico 2595, Col. Lagos del Country, C.P. 63175, Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico.
Plant-based beverages are water-soluble extracts of cereals, pseudocereals, seeds and legumes that resemble milk in appearance. However, these products have important differences compared to normal liquid milk, such as nutritional composition, sensorial properties and shelf-life stability. Increasing number of consumers are opting for these beverages due to lactose intolerance, milk protein allergies or lifestyle.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFood Chem X
January 2025
Faculty of Food Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China.
The increase in lactose intolerance, the rise of veganism, the pursuit of healthy lifestyles, environmental awareness and concern for animal welfare have led to an increase in consumer demand for plant-based yogurts. The high nutritional value of nuts makes them an ideal ingredient for the production of plant-based yogurts. The main challenge for such products is to achieve a similar taste to traditional yogurt while improving shelf life.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAm J Hum Biol
January 2025
Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia.
Objectives: This study examines the relationship between self-reported lactose intolerance (LI), environmental factors, and their effects on bone mineral density (BMD) in young adults from Slovakia.
Methods: We assessed 985 adults aged 18-30 years, with an average age of 21.61 ± 2.
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