Prognosis of fasting in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis using oral contraceptives

Background: There have been studies that showed a higher incidence of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) in Ramadan, a month in which people fast in Muslim countries, which was associated with increasing use of oral contraceptives (OCPs) in women. We aimed to evaluate the effect and prognosis of fasting in patients with CVT using OCPs. Methods: Consecutive patients with diagnosis of CVT in Sina hospital, Hamadan, West of Iran, from May of 2009 to June of 2016 were evaluated, and women using OCPs were included. Other risk factors except fasting were excluded. Clinical presentation and outcomes of CVT was assessed. Patients were followed up for 12 months. Results: 58 patients were included in this study. 31 of these patients had fasting simultaneously. Fasting in patients using OCPs caused significantly higher focal neurological deficit (64.5%, P = 0.018), and higher hemorrhage (66.7%, P = 0.042). At discharge, 51.6% and after three months, 25.8% of patients with fasting had disability [6 > modified Rankin Scale (mRS) >1]. In patients who used OCPs as sole risk factor, 25.9% at discharge and 11.1% after three months had disability. Conclusion: Fasting in patients with CVT using OCPs causes significant increase in focal neurological deficit and hemorrhage, which also increases the hospital stay and lengthens recovery. However, long-term prognosis and mortality of CVT is similar between the two groups.