Risk Stratification, Intention to Fast, and Outcomes of Fasting During Ramadan in People With Diabetes Presenting to a Tertiary Care Hospital

Objective

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the stratification of people with diabetes mellitus (DM) based on the International Diabetes Federation–Diabetes and Ramadan 2021 risk calculator into different risk categories and assess their intentions to fast and outcomes of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.

Methods

This was a 3-month prospective study that was performed from February 9, 2023, to May 6, 2023 (6 weeks before Ramadan until 6 weeks after Ramadan), at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. Data regarding glycemic control, characteristics and complications of diabetes, comorbidities, and the various factors that influence fasting were gathered from patients of either sex aged 18 to 80 years with any type of diabetes. The International Diabetes Federation–Diabetes and Ramadan 2021 risk calculation and recommendation were made accordingly for each patient.

Results

This study comprised of 460 participants with DM, with 174 males (37.8%) and 286 females (62.2%). The risk categorization showed that 209 (45.4%), 107 (23.3%), and 144 (31.3%) of the participants were in the low-, moderate-, and high-risk categories, respectively. Of the 144 high-risk patients who fasted, 57.9% experienced hypoglycemia (P <.0001). The recommendation of fasting showed statistically significant differences with risk categories, intention to fast, hypoglycemia, type of DM, duration of DM, level of glycemic control, and days of fasting (P <.001).

Conclusion

A statistically significant number of participants in the high-risk group who fasted experienced complications. This reiterates the importance of rigorous adherence to the medical recommendations.