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. 2007 Feb 28;13(8):1230-5.
doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i8.1230.

Molecularly defined adult-type hypolactasia among working age people with reference to milk consumption and gastrointestinal symptoms

Sari R Anthoni  1 , Heli A Rasinperä, Antti J Kotamies, Hanna A Komu, Harri K Pihlajamäki, Kaija Leena Kolho, Irma E Järvelä
Affiliations

Molecularly defined adult-type hypolactasia among working age people with reference to milk consumption and gastrointestinal symptoms

Sari R Anthoni et al. World J Gastroenterol. .

Abstract

Aim: To study milk consumption and subjective milk-related symptoms in adults genotyped for adult-type hypolactasia.

Methods: A total of 1900 Finnish adults were genotyped for the C/T(-13910) variant of adult-type hypolactasia and filled in a structured questionnaire concerning milk consumption and gastrointestinal problems.

Results: The C/C(-13910) genotype of adult-type hypolactasia was present in 18% of the study population. The prevalence of the C/C(-13910) genotype was higher among subjects who were undergoing investigations because of abdominal symptoms (24%, P < 0.05). Those with the C/C(-13910) genotype drank less milk than subjects with either the C/T(-13910) or the T/T(-13910) genotype of lactase persistence (18% vs 38%; 18% vs 36%, P < 0.01). Subjects with the C/C(-13910) genotype had experienced more gastrointestinal symptoms (84%) during the preceding three-month period than those with the C/T(-13910) (79%, P < 0.05) or the T/T(-13910) genotype (78 %, P < 0.05). Only 9% (29/338) of the subjects with the C/C(-13910) genotype consumed milk and reported no symptoms from it.

Conclusion: Gastrointestinal symptoms are more common among adults with the C/C(-13910) genotype of adult-type hypolactasia than in those with genotypes of lactase persistence.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms experienced by various foods in the study population.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Flow-chart of the use of cow’s milk as a drink in different genotype groups.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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