title: The effects of fasting during Ramadan on glycemic excursions detected by continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) in patients with type 2 diabetes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Safety of fasting in Ramadan for diabetic patients is not clearly known. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of fasting on glycemic excursions by continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS).
  
  
  METHODS
  This pilot, observational study conducted in the Endocrine Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IRAN, in Ramadan 2008. Seventeen well controlled patients with diabetes type 2 who were taking oral agents underwent 72 hour monitoring of glycemic excursions by CGMS one month before Ramadan and during Ramadan. The extent and duration of hyperglycemic and hypoglycemic events were evaluated and compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant reduction in hyperglycemic events was observed during Ramadan. The extent and duration of hypoglycemic events was not significantly different between two states (Ramadan and before). A significant increase in number of hypoglycemic events in Ramadan was found in patients who take sulfonylurea compared with those who take only metformin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fasting in Ramadan can be safe for well controlled patients with type 2 diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran. bonakdaransh@mums.ac.ir
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Bonakdaran
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khajeh-Dalouie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D007514:Islam; D008297:Male; D019370:Observation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric