The diabetic patient in Ramadan.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Metabolic Disorders
• Religious Studies

Background:

• Fasting during Ramadan is a religious obligation for healthy adult Muslims, involving abstention from food and drink from dawn to sunset.
• While the Quran exempts the chronically ill, many Muslims with diabetes observe Ramadan fasting.
• Fasting individuals with diabetes are at risk for acute complications, exacerbated by prolonged fasting durations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the risks of acute complications in patients with diabetes who fast during Ramadan.
• To emphasize the importance of medical assessment and structured education for safe Ramadan fasting in diabetic patients.
• To identify the need for evidence-based guidelines derived from robust clinical trials for managing diabetes during Ramadan.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature and guidelines concerning Ramadan fasting and diabetes management.
• Analysis of potential acute complications associated with fasting in diabetic populations.
• Identification of current gaps in evidence-based practices and research methodologies.

Main Results:

• Fasting during Ramadan can lead to acute complications in patients with diabetes.
• The risk of these complications is directly related to the duration of fasting.
• Current guidelines exist, but there is a significant need for more rigorous clinical trials.

Conclusions:

• Patients with diabetes considering fasting Ramadan require comprehensive medical evaluation and education for risk mitigation.
• There is a critical need for high-quality clinical trials to inform evidence-based management strategies for diabetes during Ramadan.
• Improved research will enhance the safety and well-being of diabetic individuals observing Ramadan fasts.