Fasting: an important issue in asthma management compliance.
BACKGROUND
Fasting, neither eating nor drinking anything between dawn (sahur time) and sundown (iftar time), may have an important role in the treatment and follow-up of asthmatic patients in countries where most of the population is Muslim.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze the effects of fasting on outpatient asthmatic patients.


METHODS
One hundred twenty-one fasting patients were evaluated for attendance at follow-up visits, attitudes about undergoing diagnostic investigations, and opinions and practices regarding medication use during fasting. Their sources of knowledge about asthma, fasting, and medication consumption were also evaluated.


RESULTS
Ninety percent of fasting patients reported no harm with respect to religion of visiting physicians while fasting. Although 96% of the patients stated that inhaled medication could be used, only 13% continued to use medication in the same manner as when they were not fasting. Most patients rearranged their medication-consumption hours. Although 96% of the patients received general information about asthma from their physicians, rates of receiving information about the fasting-medication use relationship from physicians and religious sources were similar (37% and 32%, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Most Muslim asthmatic patients do not consider asthma to be a drawback to fasting, and they continue fasting by rearranging their medication consumption times. During Ramadan, patients should be questioned about this subject and should be followed up carefully for asthma control at regular visits.
Erkekol
Ferda Oner
FO
Division of Allergic Diseases, School of Medicine, Ankara University, Turkey. erkekol@medicine.ankara.edu.tr
Celik
Gülfem E
GE
Keskin
Ozlem
O
Güllü
Emine
E
Mungan
Dilsad
D
Misirligil
Zeynep
Z
D000328:Adult; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012067:Religion; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents