This multi centric cross sectional study designed to evaluate is it really necessary to deprive IBD patients from consumption of dairy foods (DFs).

A multicenter study with 12 gastroenterology referral centers in 4 countries was designed to evaluate gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms after consumption of DFs from all outpatients with IBD during six months and to compare non IBD cases treated at the same centers.

Overall 1888 cases included (872 IBD patients and 1016 non IBD cases). 56.6% of participant was female with average age of 40.1 years. Racially 79.8% of participant was Caucasian, originally citizens of 10 countries. Relative prevalence of IBD was higher in Africans and Indians and the most frequent prevalence of dairy products intolerance seen in Asians. Among IBD patients, 571 cases diagnosed as UC and 189 as CD. Average duration of IBD was 6.8 years. The most prevalent GI symptoms after consumption of DFs were bloating and abdominal pain. Totally, intolerance of DFs was more prevalent among IBD patients in comparison with non IBD cases (65.5% vs. 46.1%, P = 0.0001) but among IBD patients who had not any family history of lactase deficiency, food sensitivity or both were 59.91%, 52.87% & 50.33% and similar to non IBD cases (P = 0.68, 0.98 & 0.99 respectively).

The rate of DFs intolerance among IBD patients without family history of lactase deficiency or food sensitivity is similar to non IBD cases and there is no reason to deprive them from DFs.