Abstract
Background1.7 billion Muslims worldwide obey divine commands of fasting for a month. This may increase the probability of the acute complications of diabetes during the fasting period.Design and methodsWe primarily aimed to compare the incidences and duration of Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) admissions during Ramadan compared to the month before (Shaaban) and the month after (Shawal) as well as the average pre-Ramadan six months' admissions. Our secondary objective was to assess the different incidence of DKA between Ramadan and the other months regarding precipitating factors, fasting practices in people admitted with DKA and gender differences.This was a prospective study that included all Muslims who were admitted with DKA to major hospitals in the United Arab Emirates, Sudan, Tunisia and Morocco during the pre-Ramadan month, Ramadan and post-Ramadan month, in addition to the average monthly admissions during the last six months before Ramadan. Demographics, clinical, and laboratory indices were collected and analyzed to assess primary and secondary end points.ResultsOne hundred seventy patients were admitted during the study duration, 56 were admitted during Ramadan and 63 in Shawal. Six months before Ramadan showed an average admission of 56 + 7 per month. All those admitted during Ramadan were people with type1 diabetes. 29.8 % of those admitted during Ramadan did not receive structured education program on diabetes management in Ramadan. Non-compliance to medications represented the commonest cause for admission in the whole study period. Hospital stay was comparable through different months, but the duration of acidosis was longest during Ramadan month.ConclusionIn concordance with DKAR1, DKAR international showed higher rates of DKA during Ramadan when compared to preceding Lunar month (Shaaban). In Shawal, however, the rates of DKA admission were higher than the average monthly DKA admissions. The duration of acidosis was longer in Ramadan group and positively correlated with duration of diabetes. Many patients did not receive structured education about diabetes and fasting Ramadan. Our study calls for formal pre-Ramadan education and enforces the need for advice against fasting in patients who already experienced DKA in the months preceding Ramadan.
Highlights
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad according to Islamic belief
Six months before Ramadan showed an average admission of 56 + 7 per month. All those admitted during Ramadan were people with type1 diabetes. 29.8 % of those admitted during Ramadan did not receive structured education program on diabetes management in Ramadan
Hospital stay was comparable through different months, but the duration of acidosis was longest during Ramadan month
Summary
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad according to Islamic belief. This month lasts 29–30 days and Muslims fast for 14–18 h a day. Sick people, those who are traveling and those who cannot tolerate fasting are exempt from this duty. It is estimated that 346 million people worldwide have diabetes and more than 80 % of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries [4]
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