Fructose Malabsorption Influences Chronic and Recurrent Infectious Diseases, Dyspepsia and Heartburn

ABSTRACT

Background:

Fructose malabsorption has been associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but its impact on infections of the respiratory and urogenital tracts, inflammation of the skin, as well as dyspepsia and heartburn, has not been studied.

Methods:

Fructose absorptions of 62 outpatients with clinical signs of IBS were monitored by a fructose-H₂- breath test. Additionally, the urinary fructose concentration was monitored during a 2-hour test period. Patients were asked to answer a questionnaire to evaluate their discomfort and to diagnose multiple chronic or recurrent diseases. Patients with manifested fructose malabsorption were put on a reduced fructose diet for up to 3 years. At the end of follow-up, patients were called in again for evaluatation of their dietary compliance and possible development of persistent complaints.

Results:

Patients with fructose malabsorption had higher urinary fructose concentrations during the fructose tolerance tests than did normal fructose absorbers (46.7 ± 36.4 mg/dl vs. 18.7 ± 10.1 mg/dl; p<0.01). Chronic or recurrent infections of respiratory and the urogenital tracts, inflammation of the skin, as well as dyspepsia and heartburn were more than twice as high in fructose malabsorbers than in normal absorbers (78.1% vs. 36.7%). The risk of chronic and recurrent illnesses was higher in the group of fructose malabsorption (p=0.002). A fructose-restricted diet significantly reduced the vulnerability to various forms of chronic or recurrent diseases.

Conclusions:

Chronic and recurrent infections of respiratory and urogenital tracts, inflammation of the skin, dyspepsia and heartburn correlate with fructose malabsorption. A dietary fructose reduction was effective in reducing these illnesses.

Keywords:

H- breath test, fructose malabsorption, respiratory tract, urogenital tract, dyspepsia, heartburn.