title: Ramadan fasting and diabetes: an observational study among Turkish migrants in Belgium.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate (i) Ramadan participation, (ii) provision of Ramadan-related advice by healthcare providers, (iii) medication use during Ramadan fasting among Turkish migrants with diabetes in Belgium.
  
  
  METHODS
  This pilot observational study was conducted among a convenience sample of 52 Turkish migrants with diabetes in Belgium. Two questionnaires collected information on socio-demographic characteristics, diabetes-related characteristics, current hypoglycaemic medication with dosing regimen, participation in the past Ramadan, reasons for (non-)participation, use of hypoglycaemic medication during the past Ramadan, advice from their healthcare providers about fasting during Ramadan and follow-up of this advice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen patients (31%) had fasted during the past Ramadan. Main reason for Ramadan participation was reinforcement of faith (12/15), while the main reason for non-participation was having diabetes (34/36). About 56% of the study population had received recommendations from their healthcare provider(s) about fasting and diabetes during Ramadan. The most commonly provided advice was not to participate in Ramadan, followed by modification of drug therapy. Only 3 patients ignored the advice of their health professionals. In addition, only 60% of those who actually fasted received recommendations about intake of diabetes medication during the Ramadan. Most fasters continued their medication dose unchanged (87% of OHA users and 80% of the insulin users).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study found a low prevalence of Ramadan fasting among Turkish migrants with diabetes in Belgium. We also found that provision of advice by healthcare providers could be improved. Larger scale studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Care Unit, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. b.peeters@ugent.be
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Peeters
authors.forename: Els
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mehuys
authors.forename: Inge
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Van Tongelen
authors.forename: Elien
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Van Bever
authors.forename: Lore
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bultereys
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Avonts
authors.forename: Güven
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yıldız
authors.forename: Jean Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Remon
authors.forename: Koen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Boussery
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000208:ethnology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007514:Islam; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey / Q000208:ethnology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human