title: The Effects of Ramadhan Fasting on Clinical Symptoms in Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to determine the effects of Ramadhan fasting on GERD symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  a total of 130 GERD patients participated in this study. Patients were divided into two groups, i.e. those who performed Ramadhan fasting (n=66), and those who did not perform Ramadhan fasting (n=64). The evaluation was done using Indonesian version of GERD questionnaire (GERD-Q) between the two groups, and between Ramadhan month and non-Ramadhan month in the Ramadhan fasting group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  there was a statistically significant difference (p<0.01) in the median of GERD-Q score in Ramadhan-fasting group subjects and non-Ramadhan-fasting group subjects (0 vs. 4). Moreover, a statistically significant difference (p<0.01) was also found in the median of GERD-Q score in Ramadhan-fasting group subjects and non-fasting group subjects (p<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  subjects in Ramadhan fasting group, GERD symptoms experienced less severe during fasting month (Ramadhan) than non-fasting month. During Ramadhan month, GERD symptoms were also milder in Ramadhan fasting group than those in non-fasting group subjects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia.. ra.dhiyah@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Radhiyatam
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mardhiyah
authors.forename: Dadang
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Makmun
authors.forename: Ari Fahrial
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Syam
authors.forename: Siti
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Setiati
mesh_terms: D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007214:Indonesia; D007514:Islam; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: GERD; Gastroesophageal reflux disease; Islamic fasting; Ramadan