title: Evaluating the Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Muslim Patients with Diabetes in relation to Use of Medication and Lifestyle Patterns: A Prospective Study.
abstract: Objectives. This study aimed to examine the effect of Ramadan fasting on HbA1c in Muslim patients with type 2 diabetes. The incidence of hypoglycemia and glycemic changes in relation to the adjustment of doses of antidiabetic agents, diet, and physical activity during Ramadan was also evaluated. Methods. This was a prospective study conducted in an outpatient endocrine clinic. A set of questionnaires was administered to Muslim patients with diabetes who fasted for ≥10 days. Those who were hospitalized for diabetic ketoacidosis or severe hypoglycemia a month prior to Ramadan or were given short-term corticosteroid therapy were excluded. The patients' responses and clinical outcomes from the clinic database were collected before, during, and after Ramadan. Results. A total of 153 participants completed the study. The mean HbA1c improved from 8.9% before Ramadan to 8.6% during Ramadan (P < 0.05). Although diet and physical activity did not contribute to changes in glycemia, a significant improvement in HbA1c was observed in patients who had adjustments made to their doses of antidiabetic agents during Ramadan (P < 0.001). In addition, their rate of hypoglycemia was minimal. Conclusions. Ramadan fasting appeared to improve glycemic control, especially in those whose doses of antidiabetic agents were adjusted during Ramadan.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Block S4, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543.
authors.forename: Melanie Yee Lee
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Siaw
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrine and Diabetes, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433.
authors.forename: Daniel Ek Kwang
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Chew
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrine and Diabetes, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433.
authors.forename: Rinkoo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dalan
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrine and Diabetes, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433.
authors.forename: Shaikh Abdul Kader Kamaldeen
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Abdul Shakoor
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrine and Diabetes, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433.
authors.forename: Noorani
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Othman
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433.
authors.forename: Chor Hui
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Choo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Block S4, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543.
authors.forename: Nur Hidayah
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Shamsuri
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433.
authors.forename: Siti Nurhana
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Abdul Karim
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Block S4, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543.
authors.forename: Sui Yung
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Block S4, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543.
authors.forename: Joyce Yu-Chia
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lee