The link between ramadan-related activities and seizure frequency during ramadan in epileptic patients attending banat charity clinic in July-August 2014

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the effect of fasting and other Ramadan-related activities on the seizure frequency of epileptic patients. Methodology: A series of 80 epileptic patients was conducted from patients attending Daoud charity clinic in Banat, Khartoum-Sudan. Data related to the fasting status, seizure frequency before and during Ramadan, and the adherence to “late night prayers” were documented using preformed pro-formats. Patient’s approval was obtained as necessary. Results: 44.7% of patients fasted the whole Ramadan, whereas 51.5% of these chose to fast without or against the physician consultation. The remainder either stopped or never tried to fast. The change in seizure frequency is not affected by the fasting status (P = .625). Moreover, there is higher incidence of seizure during Ramadan in the non-fasting population. There is no correlation between the duration of sleep and the change in seizure frequency, but increasing the duration of sleep by 2 hours decreases the frequency of seizures, but the difference is not significant (R = 0.11, P = 0.56). There is no relationship between the change in the sleep duration at night and the seizure frequency (P = 0.22). In fact, patients who slept lesser than 2 hours have lesser seizure frequency (seizure frequency is 40% lesser in Ramadan). The change in seizure frequency is not related to neither the adherence to early nor late night prayers (P = 0.76, 0.27). Conclusion: The epileptic patients can fast and practice the Ramadan related ceremonies, and this will not affect their seizure frequency. However, further studies are recommended before applying these results.