Effect of Fasting Ramadan on Different Laboratory Parameters on Type 2 Diabetic Mellitus Patients

Abstract

Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common chronic diseases in nearly all countries, and continues to increase in numbers and significance, as changing lifestyles lead to reduced physical activity, and increased obesity. It has been estimated that by the year 2030, there will be 8.6 million adult with diabetes in Egypt, making it the country with the tenth largest population of diabetic in the world. Diabetes is associated with reduced life expectancy, significant morbidity due to micro and macro vascular complications and diminished quality of life. Objective To study the impact of Ramadan fasting on metabolic parameters and anthropometry in type 2 DM in Egypt. Patients and Methods This study was conducted on 80 type 2 diabetic patients who were intending to fast Ramadan. During Ramadan (2014) the average fasting hours were 15 h. Patients were recruited from the internal medicine outpatient clinic at Ain Shams University hospitals and from the nutrition institute. 6 Patients were under insulin treatment (Biphasic human insulin) & 74 patients were under oral hypoglycemic treatment {52 on combination treatment sulfonylurea + metformin & 9 on metformin only &13 of them were on sulfonylurea only}. Results We found that there was a statistically significant increase as regard lipid profile (serum triglycerides, serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol) in after Ramadan measurement. Also CVD risk parameters have untimely increased after Ramadan this parameters including (10 years risk (Framingham score) systolic and diastolic blood pressure). In addition (Creatinine, HOMA IR and fasting insulin) showed increased level in after Ramadan measurement which indicate deterioration of blood glucose parameters. There was no statistical significant changes seen as regard anthropometric measures (BMI, WHR) in pre Ramadan and after Ramadan measurement. Also there was no statistical significant changes regarding fasting, 2 hours plasma glucose, A1c levels between pre-Ramadan fasting & after-Ramadan. In addition CRP and ACR showed no significant changes as regard measurement between before and after Ramadan. Conclusion Ramadan fasting appears to have significant effect on lipid profiles that could adversely impact cardiovascular outcome. These effects are mostly due to quality and quantity of food intake during Ramadan and the negative impact of sedentary life style. In addition the number of fasting days and period of daily fasting could affect glycemic control and renal function tests. Bad dietary habits, lack of exercise and irregular drug intake during Ramadan has a negative impact on glycemic control.