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Muslims with non-insulin dependent diabetes fasting during Ramadan: treatment with glibenclamide
J Belkhadir1, H el Ghomari, N Klöcker
1Medical Department E, University Hospital Ibn Sina, Rabat, Morocco.
Objective:
To compare the efficacy of two glibenclamide regimens in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes who were fasting during Ramadan and regular glibenclamide treatment in the non-fasting group.
Design:
Non-randomised control group of patients who did not fast during Ramadan and two groups of patients who fasted randomised equally to one of two regimens: to take their usual morning dose of glibenclamide in the evening and their usual evening dose before dawn; or to follow this pattern but to reduce the total dose by a quarter.
Setting:
Two university hospitals, one private hospital, and two private clinics in Casablanca and Rabat, Morocco.
Subjects:
591 diabetic patients (198 men, 391 women, two unspecified) with similar duration of diabetes and length and amount of glibenclamide treatment, of whom 542 completed the study.
Main Outcome Measures:
Serum fructosamine and total glycated haemoglobin concentrations and number of hypoglycaemic events.
Results:
At the end of Ramadan there were no significant differences between the groups in fructosamine concentration (400 mumol/l in controls and 381 mumol/l and 376 mumol/l in the fasting groups); percentage of glycated haemoglobin (14.7%, 14.0%, and 13.6%); or number of hypoglycaemic events during Ramadan (11, 14, and 10).
Conclusion:
Glibenclamide is effective and safe for patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes who fast during Ramadan. The easiest regimen is to take the normal morning dose (together with any midday dose) at sunset and any evening dose before dawn.