Highlights of the Ninth Diabetes and Ramadan International Alliance conference (mena-zone virtual), January 21–22, 2021

Abstract

The 9th “Ramadan and Diabetes” international alliance annual conference was held over 2 days (January 21–22, 2021) virtually due to health restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program included several sessions covering various aspects of Ramadan fasting from physiology, nutrition, pharmacotherapies, mental well-being, and bioethical considerations. A good proportion of the conference was used to highlight the 2021 edition of the International Diabetes Federation-diabetes and Ramadan (DaR) recommendations on diabetes management during Ramadan. The proposed new risk stratification tool for objectively assessing patient's risk was discussed. Results of the DAR global survey of the impact of COVID-19 on fasting practices were reported during the event. Results of a couple of recent trials were presented during the conference. The conference closed by a thoughtful review of the grading of evidence and a futuristic vision of future research directions. The present report provides a concise overview of the conference to help those who did not have the opportunity to attend the live event.

Epidemiology, Technology, and Professional Perspectives on Diabetes in the United Arab Emirate: A Focused Review

“…Several annual and occasional conferences on diabetes have been conducted by the EDS, Gulf Chapter of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (Now Gulf Association of Endocrinology and Diabetes [GAED]) to improve the understanding and management of diabetes [58][59][60][61]. UAE recently became a focal point for health-related Ramadan fasting research, including diabetes [62][63][64]. Furthermore, to support more physicians' knowledge and expertise, several international universities providing postgraduate education in diabetes, particularly from the UK (Cardiff, Warrick, and Leicester), have extended their presence in the UAE.…”