EFFECT OF RAMADAN FASTING ON DIABETIC MICRO-VASCULAR COMPLICATION

Abstract

Fasting during Ramadan, one of the five pillars of Islam is an obligatory duty for all healthy adult Muslims. During Ramadan, Muslims must abstain from eating, drinking, taking oral medications, and smoking from the exact time of dawn until time of sunset; there are no restrictions on food or fluid intake between sunset and dawn. Islamic rules allow patients who are diseased and fasting may be hard or harmful for them not to fast. This study aimed to study the relation between Ramadan fasting and course of micro vascular complication of DM, and to find advices for patient during fasting to help in regression of micro vascular complication of DM. We started the study on 74 diabetic patients but only 64 completed the clinical visits with us and the other 10 missed from the follow up visits. Before Ramadan and After Ramadan fasting all patients were subjected to:. Electroretinogram (ERG), Mean Conduction Velocity (MCV), and Urinary Albumin Creatinine Ratio (UACR) in addition to serum insulin, proinsulin. The results showed There was increase in the mean oscillatory potentials in the second (OS2 ) of both eyes from 8.96±3.96 to 9.49±4.77.and other changes in the ERG which indicate significant improvement of diabetic retinopathy after Ramadan fasting , MCV decreased from 43.92± 21.68 to 39.85±13.50 ms. and albumin creatinine ratio was increased from 98.41 ±160.49 to 141.49 ±228.62.
Conclusion: Fasting of the whole month of Ramadan has a beneficial effect on β cell function. The relation between Ramadan fasting and micro-vascular complications is variable, with some improvement of diabetic retinopathy. neuropathy show adverse effects. Ramadan fasting increase the albumin creatinine ratio but there is improvement among patients with microalbuminuria.
Key words: Ramadan, Fasting, Diabetes, micro-vascular.