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Evaluation of 200D(+)-xylose blood level time curves as an index of intestinal absorption

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Summary

Two hundred consecutived (+) -xylose blood level time curves performed on 180 individuals using a previously described method were evaluated. It was found that the test is useful to indicate malabsorption states in idiopathic nontropical sprue, scleroderma, Whipple's disease, and diabetic diarrhea with steatorrhea, as well as in mesenteric lymphatic obstruction. It also shows low values in cases of multiple diverticula of the small intestine and cholecystoduodenostomy. It does not consistently demonstrate the malabsorption caused by regional enteritis, resection of the distal small intestine, and pancreatic enzyme deficiency. Complete pyloric obstruction interferes with the test.

The rate of “false positives” in patients without malabsorption is less than 2%.

The chemical method is simple and easily performed in any routine laboratory.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. From the Department of Medicine (Gastroenterology) and the Department of Pathology, St. Mary's Memorial Hospital, Canada

    Ivan T. Beck M.D., F.R.C.P. (C.), Steven Rona M.D., Richard D. McKenna M.D., F.R.C.P. (C.), F.A.C.P. & David S. Kahn M.D.

  2. the Departments of Investigative Medicine and Pathology, McGill University, Canada

    Ivan T. Beck M.D., F.R.C.P. (C.), Steven Rona M.D., Richard D. McKenna M.D., F.R.C.P. (C.), F.A.C.P. & David S. Kahn M.D.

  3. the Department of Medicine (Division of Gastroenterology), Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, P.Q., Canada

    Ivan T. Beck M.D., F.R.C.P. (C.), Steven Rona M.D., Richard D. McKenna M.D., F.R.C.P. (C.), F.A.C.P. & David S. Kahn M.D.

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  1. Ivan T. Beck M.D., F.R.C.P. (C.)
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  2. Steven Rona M.D.
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  3. Richard D. McKenna M.D., F.R.C.P. (C.), F.A.C.P.
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  4. David S. Kahn M.D.
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Beck, I.T., Rona, S., McKenna, R.D. et al. Evaluation of 200D(+)-xylose blood level time curves as an index of intestinal absorption. Digest Dis Sci 7, 936–948 (1962). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02231874

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02231874

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