Limitations of the Usefulness of thed-Xylose Absorption Test

Abstract
Krawitt, Edward L., and Beeken, Warren L.: Limitations of the usefulness of the D-xylose absorption test. Am. J. Clin. Pathol. 63: 261–263, 1975. The results of the conventional 5-hour d-xylose absorption test were surveyed in 38 subjects with disease of the jejunal mucosa, giardiasis or bacterial overgrowth, or no small-bowel disorder. The test was in error in 20–40% of cases, depending on the disease category, and the error for the entire group was 30%. We conclude that the test yields little guidance for diagnosis or therapy of clinical problems and is superfluous when a jejunal biopsy can be obtained.

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