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Digital Home-Monitoring of Patients after Kidney Transplantation: The MACCS Platform
Published on: April 12, 2021
Fasting During the First Year of Transplantation: Is it Safe?
M Ouziala1, S Ouziala, A Bellaoui
1Renal Transplantation Unit, Reanimation Polyvalente, CHU Alger Centre Hopital, Mustapha Bacha, Algeria.
Summary
Fasting during Ramadan is safe for kidney transplant recipients within the first year post-transplant. Patients on azathioprine and prednisolone tolerated fasting without adverse effects, though some lab values changed.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Transplantation Immunology
- Clinical Nutrition
Background:
- Ramadan fasting is a religious practice involving abstention from food and drink from dawn to sunset.
- The safety and feasibility of Ramadan fasting for organ transplant recipients, particularly in the early post-transplant period, require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical and biochemical effects of Ramadan fasting in live-related kidney transplant recipients within the first year after transplantation.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study was conducted on 14 kidney transplant patients during Ramadan.
- Patients were assessed for clinical adverse effects and changes in serum creatinine, electrolytes, proteins, liver function, and lipids.
- Fasting compliance and tolerance were monitored throughout the month.
Main Results:
- All 14 patients successfully completed Ramadan fasting without clinical adverse effects.
- No significant changes were observed in serum creatinine, calcium, protein, sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, or liver function tests.
- Significant increases were noted in total plasma proteins, urea, uric acid, hemoglobin, triglycerides, cholesterol, and urinary sodium and potassium concentrations.
Conclusions:
- Ramadan fasting appears to be safe and well-tolerated for kidney transplant recipients within the first year of transplantation, when managed with azathioprine and prednisolone.
- Further research involving larger patient cohorts, including those on cyclosporine, is warranted to confirm these findings.
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