Table 2.
Univariate analysis of conditions and symptoms associated with the detection of a fructose malabsorption by a fructose breath test after a 25 g fructose load
| Characteristics | Fructose absorbers (n = 70) | Fructose malabsorbers (n = 20) | p |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age (years) | 46.3 ± 2.0 | 37.3 ± 2.9 | 0.03 |
| Weight (kg) | 70.0 ± 2.3 | 71.6 ± 2.9 | 0.72 |
| Height (m) | 1.7 ± 0.01 | 1.7 ± 0.02 | 0.02 |
| BMI | 25.5 ± 0.8 | 24.8 ± 1.1 | 0.66 |
| Male gender | 11 (15.7%) | 8 (40.0%) | 0.03 |
| Acute gastroenteritis prior symptoms | 8 (11.4%) | 3 (15.0%) | 0.70 |
| Stress before symptoms | 46 (65.7%) | 11 (55.0%) | 0.70 |
| IBS-SSS | 281.0 ± 11.8 | 304.0 ± 16.2 | 0.36 |
| HADS anxiety | 9.2 ± 0.5 | 9.3 ± 1.0 | 0.90 |
| HADS depression | 4.6 ± 0.4 | 5.3 ± 0.8 | 0.40 |
| Frequent abdominal pain | 27 (38.6%) | 10 (50.0%) | 0.44 |
| Frequent bloating | 41 (58.6%) | 12 (60.0%) | 1.00 |
| Frequent diarrhoea | 22 (31.4%) | 6 (30.0%) | 1.00 |
| Frequent constipation | 11 (15.7%) | 5 (25.0%) | 0.34 |
| GIQLI Score | 83.2 ± 2.5 | 77.1 ± 5.9 | 0.29 |
| Fructose intolerance | 18 (25.7%) | 7 (35.0%) | 0.11 |
BMI: body mass index; IBS: irritable bowel syndrome; IBS-SSS: IBS-symptom severity score; HADS: Hospital Anxiety Depression Score; GIQLI: Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index.
Symptoms were considered frequent when patients scored their frequency 3 or 4 on a Likert scale. Results are presented as mean ± standard error of the mean and number (percentage).