title: [Diabetes and fasting during Ramadan. A observational study among Turkish immigrants 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 healthcare 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: Unité Soins Pharmaceutiques, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques. Université de Gand, Harelbekestraat 72, B-9000 Gand, Belgique. b.peeters@ugent.be
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Peeters
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Mehuys
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Van Tongelen
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Van Bever
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Bultereys
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Avonts
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Yildiz
authors: J P
authors: JP
authors: Remon
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Boussery
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D003625:Data Collection; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005215:Fasting / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007514:Islam; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey / Q000208:ethnology
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents