Effect of Ramadan on glucose levels, serum lipid profile, and blood pressure among fasting and nonfasting medical students in a public university of Karachi

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of Ramadan fasting on blood pressure, fasting glucose, lipid profile, and serum proteins between non-Muslim and fasting Muslim students. Methodology: The study was conducted on undergraduate medical students of a medical university of Karachi. Participants were invited for data collection: in the last 10 days of Shaban, Ramadan, and Shawwal. Along with blood pressure, height, and weight were measured and a sample of 10 cc blood was also drawn in each visit. Blood samples were analyzed for glucose, lipid profile, and serum protein. Two samples, “t”-test and repeated measure design analysis of variance were utilized for statistical analysis. Results: Sixty Muslims and 15 non-Muslim students completed all the three visits. Seventy-five percent were females. Mean systolic blood pressure reduced significantly in Ramadan. Mean diastolic blood pressure reduced noticeably in Ramadan and Shawwal for non-Muslim students and minor changes occurred in Muslim students. Even though the fasting blood sugar increased insignificantly from Shaban to Ramadan in the total sample, but the increment among Muslim students showed a significant increase. The mean cholesterol value of Muslim students significantly increased in Ramadan but decreased in Ramadan for non-Muslim students. The mean value of low-density lipoprotein increased significantly in Ramadan for Muslim students but decreased in Ramadan for non-Muslim. The mean values of triglyceride showed a significant reduction from Shaban to Ramadan and then increased in Shawwal. Conclusion: The study revealed that the environment of Ramadan was helpful to the non-Muslim students more than the Muslim students, with respect to the biochemical parameters.