Metabolic control during Ramadan fasting

✍ Scribed by Beshyah, S A ;Jowett, N I ;Burden, A C

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1992
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 255 KB
• Volume: 9
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1357-8170
• DOI: 10.1002/pdi.1960090206

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Fifteen diabetic Muslim patients were studied to assess diabetic control during the fasting of Ramadan and the changes in the various haematological and biochemical blood parameters. No specific instructions were given to adjust their medications during the fast: six considered their diabetic control unchanged; seven improved; and two worsened. Mean weight fell from 69.1 to 68 kg (NS). Six mild episodes of hypoglycaemia were reported. No patient showed ketonuria and none needed admission to hospital. Plasma glucose and serum triglycerides fell with fasting, serum fructosamine and cholesterol levels did not alter significanly.

Conclusions: most diabetics can safely fast but more medical attention to adjust their medication by increased dosage in the evening to combat hyperglycaemia and reduced dosage in early morning to prevent hypoglycaemia.