Allergy to cow's milk protein, or lactose intolerance: a cross-sectional study in university students

Abstract

Factors like ethnic origin and geographical area affect the frequency of cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) and lactose intolerance (LI). Epidemiological information about the non-pediatric population is still missing. To determine the prevalence of CMPA and LI in university students. A cross-sectional study of 1200 students of 18 to 25-year-old. A structured questionnaire was applied in order to identify the clinical manifestations triggered by the intake of cow's milk (CM), and these were categorized as linked to CMPA or linked to LI. Thirty students met the criteria for CMPA (prevalence of 2.5 %; CI 95 % = 1.7-3.6 %) and 128 for LI (prevalence of 10.7 %, CI 95 % = : 9.0 % - 12.5 %). The frequency of personal history of food allergy and dust mite allergy was higher in students with CMPA than in students with LI. Oral pruritus, skin and respiratory discomforts were predominant in CMPA. Abdominal cramps and flatulence were predominant in LI. IL is more frequent than CMPA; which frequency was one in every 10 students; and the frequency of CMPA was one in 400.