Beyond Malabsorption: The Need for Symptom‐Based Assessment in Suspected Lactose Intolerance. Lessons From a Test‐Specific Symptom Assessment

Lactose malabsorption alone is an inadequate predictor of the occurrence of symptoms, emphasizing the need for comprehensive symptom assessment beyond breath test results. This has important implications for the selection of appropriate therapies. The association between lactose and fructose sensitivity suggests a role for visceral hypersensitivity and overlapping mechanisms in symptom development.