Comparison between high- and low-risk diabetic patients who fast Ramadan: A prospective cohort study

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study is to compare the low-risk patients with the high- and very high-risk patients who choose to fast during Ramadan regarding the rates of breakfasting, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, hospitalization, and death. Patients and Methods: This is an observational, analytic, 1-month prospective, cohort study that involved patients with diabetes mellitus who choose to fast during the month of Ramadan in the Muslim year 1437. The patients were divided into two cohorts: Cohort 1 (high-risk) consisted of 83 patients who were categorized as high/very high-risk according to the International Diabetes Federation–Diabetes and Ramadan International Alliance guidelines on diabetes and Ramadan and Cohort 2 (low-risk) consisted of 65 patients categorized as moderate/low risk. Results: The overall of whole month fasting rate was 88% (100% in the low-risk group and 79% in the high-risk group, P = 0.000), and the rate of hypoglycemia was 12% (20.9% in the high-risk group vs. 0% in the low-risk group, P = 0.002). The rate of severe hyperglycemia was 7.7% (13.5% in the high-risk group vs. 0% in the low-risk group, P = 0.14). Conclusions: Patients in the high-risk category were significantly more likely to breakfasting during Ramadan than those in the low-risk category. Hypoglycemia was significantly higher in the high-risk group. The rates of severe hyperglycemia, hospitalization, and presumed mortality were not significantly higher in the high-risk group.

High-risk patients observing ramadan fasting: More data and more insights!

“…In the current issue of Ibnosina Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Elbarsha et al from Benghazi, Libya, compare the impact of fasting during Ramadan in a prospective observational study on the low and high-risk groups. [15] This study enriches the literature from several studies that have addressed the same theme and warrants highlighting the recent developments as they were not discussed in detail in the manuscript. Among the participants, 83 high-risk patients were categorized as "high/very high-risk" and 65 low-risk patients were categorized as "moderate/low risk".…”

Eid-al-Fitr festivity and Ramadan fasting attitude among individuals with diabetes from Saudi Arabia and Pakistan: a cross-sectional study

“… 4 A Libyan study reported that 22% of individuals with diabetes broke their fast for a day or two because of health concerns. 21 …”

“…4 A Libyan study reported that 22% of individuals with diabetes broke their fast for a day or two because of health concerns. 21 Individuals with diabetes appear to perform less SMBG during Ramadan and avoid managing post-Iftar BG, which is the primary meal and source of glycaemic spikes. Our study results emphasise the importance of SMBG in avoiding sudden fluctuations in BG among individuals with diabetes; particularly, those who have diabetic complications should be more cautious while keeping their fast.…”

“…Another Saudi study reported a much higher percentage of Saudi participants with T2DM (52%) who broke their Ramadan fast because of hypoglycaemia 4. A Libyan study reported that 22% of individuals with diabetes broke their fast for a day or two because of health concerns 21…”

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“…Elbarsha et al report a comparison between high-and low-risk diabetic patients who choose to observe the fasting of Ramadan in a prospective cohort study from Benghazi, Libya. [9] Rare, unusual, or simply illustrative case reports remain a regular feature of the journal. In this issue, three case reports are included: (1) early-onset antibiotic-induced autoimmune hemolytic anemia, (2) a rare case of intra-auricular sinus presenting as recurrent perichondritis, and (3) urinary diversion in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer and severe ureteral stricture -A case report of a new surgical technique.…”