Metabolic alterations as a result of Ramadan fasting in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients in relation to food intake.
OBJECTIVE
Diabetes is known to be associated with alterations in metabolic parameters. The aim of this study is to investigate whether Ramadan fasting can affect these metabolic parameters in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients.


METHODS
This study was conducted in the outpatient Clinic of Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan in February of 1415 Hijra year (1995 Gregorian). Forty-four NIDDM male patients volunteered for this study. Patients fasted the month of Ramadan and few metabolic parameters were recorded. Body weight, fasting blood sugar (FBS), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured, before, at mid- and at the end- of Ramadan. Detailed energy intakes were also recorded.


RESULTS
Patients mean age were 52+/-9 years (range 35-75). Patients showed a statistically significant reduction in their body weight, FBS, HbA1c, and TG levels by the end of Ramadan (1.57 kg, 31 mg/dl, 0.85%, and 35 mg/dl). Other parameters such as TC, LDL-C, HDL-C were not affected by Ramadan fasting. The total daily energy intake remained unchanged including the qualitative components of nutrients.


CONCLUSIONS
Muslim NIDDM patients showed a trend towards better glycemic control following Ramadan fasting. However, the pre-Ramadan existed dyslipidemia was sustained or even worsened following Ramadan fasting.
Khatib
Faisal A
FA
Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
Shafagoj
Yanal A
YA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood*; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology*; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood; D007514:Islam; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D001786:Blood Glucose; D002784:Cholesterol; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D014280:Triglycerides