title: Limitations of the usefulness of the d-xylose absorption test.
abstract: 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.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000378:metabolism; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D007414:Intestinal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000382:microbiology; D007583:Jejunum / Q000378:metabolism; D008201:Lymphangiectasis, Intestinal / Q000378:metabolism; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000378:metabolism; D008286:Malabsorption Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008061:Whipple Disease / Q000378:metabolism; D014994:Xylose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D014994:Xylose