Abnormal Small Intestinal Permeability to Sugars in Patients with Crohn’s Disease of the Terminal Ileum and Colon

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Abstract
The absorption of lactulose and mannitol in 20 patients with Crohn’s disease limited to the ileum or colon was studied, and lactulose/mannitol excretion ratios were calculated. The results were compared to those from 16 normal controls and 6 patients with ulcerative colitis. The 13 patients with ileal Crohn’s disease had significantly higher lactulose/mannitol excretion ratios than the controls (p < 0.01) or ulcerative colitics (p < 0.01). Similarly, the 7 patients with Crohn’s disease limited to the colon had significantly higher excretion ratios than the controls (p < 0.01) or ulcerative colitics (p < 0.01). The results provide support for the concept that Crohn’s disease may be more extensive than is apparent macroscopically.