ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Current international guidelines recommend a pre-Ramadan risk assessment for people with diabetes (PwDM) who plan on fasting during the Holy month. However, a comprehensive risk assessment-based recommendation for the management of PwDM intending to fast is still controversial. Therefore, the Arabic Association for the Study of Diabetes and Metabolism (AASD) developed this consensus to provide further insights into risk stratification in PwDM intending to fast during Ramadan. METHODS: The present consensus was based on the three-step modified Delphi method. The modified Delphi method is based on a series of voting rounds and in-between meetings of the expert panel to reach agreements on the statements that did not reach the consensus level during voting. The panel group comprised professors and consultants in endocrinology (both adult and pediatric). Other members included experts in the fields of cardiovascular medicine, nephrology, ophthalmology, and vascular surgery, affiliated with academic institutions in Egypt. RESULT: In PwDM who intend to fast during Ramadan, risk stratification is crucial to optimize patient outcomes and prevent serious complications. The present consensus provides risk assessment of those living with diabetes according to several factors, including the type of diabetes, presence, and severity of complications, number of fasting hours, and other socioeconomic factors. According to their risk factors, patients were classified into four categories (very high, high, moderate, and low risk). CONCLUSION: Future research is warranted due to the controversial literature regarding the impact of fasting on certain comorbidities.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: In the current study, we aimed at evaluating the effect of a culturally-based pre-Ramadan education program (PREP) on glycemic control, weight, adherence to post-sunset physical activity, perception of hypoglycemia, and anti-diabetic medication dose adjustment during Ramadan fasting in type 2 diabetics. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 1008 type 2 Diabetes patients were offered a culturally-based PREP in addition to the standard of care, two months before Ramadan. A retrospective interview one month after Ramadan compared the fasting experience of PREP attendees (470 patients) with those who merely received standard of care (538 patients) (Non-PREP). RESULTS: Ramadan fasting improved glycemic control with a correlation between HbA1c percent reduction and the number of fasting days (r = -0.290, p = 0.007). More HbA1c and weight percent reduction were observed in PREP attendees compared to the Non-PREP group (-14.8% ± 9.3 vs. -5.4% ± 5.4; p < 0.001; and - 1.96% ± 5.4 vs. -0.39% ± 2.8; p < 0.001, respectively). More commitment to night prayers in the PREP attendees compared to the Non-PREP group, (85.5% prayed >20 nights vs 28.4%; p < 0.001) with more HbA1c and weight percent reduction in the those who performed the prayers more than 20 nights compared to those who performed no prayers (-11.69% ± 8.8 vs -6.28% ± 6.4, p < 0.001; and - 2.76% ±5.1 vs 1.35% ±1.8, p < 0.001, respectively). More perception of true hypoglycemia was associated with PREP attendance (p0.046), insulin treatment (p0.000), and reduction of antidiabetic medication dosage (p0.004). Repeated lowering of antidiabetic medications doses with sequential downsizing of meals' portions, and appetite was reported. CONCLUSION: Ramadan fasting was beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes with reduction of HbA1c in correlation with the number of fasting days. Contrasting PREP with Non-PREP participants discovered better HbA1c and weight reduction in the former group even with equal number of fasting days. PREP participants performed more Taraweeh night prayers. The more the prayer nights the more decline of HbA1c and weight was observed. PREP improved perception and response to hypoglycemia with low-dosing of antidiabetic medications, especially insulin.