title: Type 2 Diabetes and its Characteristics during Ramadan in Dhahira Region, Oman.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The main objective of this study is to illustrate the various characteristics including care of patients and changes in lifestyle of type 2 diabetics during Ramadan in Dhahira region, Oman.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a hospital-based study conducted during the month of Ramadan in 2006. Of the 453 recruited, 334 (73.7%) with complete data were analyzed. Student t test was used for comparison of means and Chi-square test for proportions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We analyzed 334 patients with type 2 diabetes. The common complication associated with diabetes was coronary artery disease (19.5%) and nearly 60% of the study subjects had hypertension as co-morbidity. There was little or no change in the lifestyle activities and Insulin/Oral AntiDiabetic Drug (OAD) doses during Ramadan. Majority of diabetics had poorly controlled Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) and Body Mass Index (BMI). The overall mean weight change was -0.49 ± 1.54 SD. There was a significant weight loss during Ramadan (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The large proportions of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes patients in our region represent a challenge to our physicians during Ramadan. There is a need to improve diabetic management and intensive education before fasting. Clear guidelines for diabetic management including uncontrolled diabetics during Ramadan are essential in Oman.
authors.forename: Prakash
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Anoop
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mirakhur
authors.forename: Karim Mahmoud Abo
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: El-Magd
authors.forename: Abdel Nasser Abo
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: El-Matty
authors.forename: Dalal
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Al-Ghafri