Comparison of glycaemic control and anthropometric parameters before and after Ramadan fasting in a selected cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Sri Lanka.

Mohamed Shafras,Rafeek Rukshan Ahamed,Mohamed Sanas,Charles Antonypillai,Isha Samarakkody,Lakshika Monaragala,Lakshika Nawarathna

doi:10.4038/cmj.v65i4.9276

Mohamed Shafras, Rafeek Rukshan Ahamed + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4038/cmj.v65i4.9276

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Journal: The Ceylon medical journal	Publication Date: Dec 31, 2020
Citations: 2	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: University of Peradeniya

Abstract

The majority of Sri Lankan Moors fast during Ramadan. This may have an effect on their glycaemic control and anthropometric parameters. However, limited information exists about the impact of Ramadan fasting on diabetes in Sri Lanka. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Ramadan fasting on glycaemic control and anthropometric parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Patients were also observed for symptoms of hypoglycaemia, timing and association with different antidiabetic agents. One hundred and twenty Sri Lankan Moors with T2DM were recruited for this study. Biochemical investigations and anthropometric parameters were done before and after Ramadan fasting. The statistical analysis was done with paired t test to compare glycaemic control and anthropometric parameters before and after Ramadan. There was a significant decrease in body weight (mean body weight 66.17 to 65.52 kg; p= < 0.001) and waist circumference (93.84 to 92.16cm; p= < 0.001). However, the glycaemic control worsened in all patients during Ramadan with rise in mean fructosamine value of 354.1 to 996.9µmol/L. Out of 104 participants 43 participants experienced symptoms of hypoglycaemia. The current study showed an improvement in the body weight and waist circumference during Ramadan fasting, however the glycaemic control has been worsened. More follow-up studies are warranted in order to draw a conclusion on the effect of Ramadan fasting in glycaemic control and anthropometric parameters in diabetes patients.

Highlights

Introduction The majority of Sri LankanMoors fast during Ramadan
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) reports the number of diabetes mellitus patients (DM) has increased from 108 to 422 million from 1980-2014, in which adults over 18 years of age has risen from 4.7% to 8.5% [2]
A population based study on the epidemiology of diabetes and Ramadan (EPIDIAR) indicated that 42.8% of patients with type 1 and 78.7% of those with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients fasted during Ramadan [5]

Summary

Introduction

Introduction The majority of Sri LankanMoors fast during Ramadan. This may have an effect on their glycaemic control and anthropometric parameters. Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is an obligatory duty for all healthy adult Muslims. Whereby, they abstain from the uptake of food, drink or oral medicines from sunrise to sunset throughout the month of Ramadan [1]. Based on a demographic study conducted in 2010, approximately 1.6 billion (23%) of the worldwide population are followers of Islam [3], of which 40-50 million individuals with diabetes fast during the month of Ramadan [4]. A population based study on the epidemiology of diabetes and Ramadan (EPIDIAR) indicated that 42.8% of patients with type 1 and 78.7% of those with T2DM patients fasted during Ramadan [5]. The overall calorie consumption of individuals with T2DM has been reported to increase during Ramadan [9, 10]

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