Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: The month of Ramadan is characterized by abstaining from drinking and eating from sunrise to sunset. This exposes to an increased metabolic risk in diabetics. However, even if religiously diabetics could be exempt from fasting, a large number of them practice it.

Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study and interviewed diabetic patients about their practices during Ramadan and about the presence or absence of complications, over a period of one month, in the occurrence the month before Ramadan 2018 at the department of endocrinology and diabetology of Mohammed VI University Hospital of Marrakech. The purpose of this study is to assess the level of education of patients and their awareness of all the possible complications that may occur during fasting and how these complications are managed.

Outcomes: The average age was 58.42 years with female predominance. Most patients were type 2 diabetics with an average duration of 10 years. The rate of the fasting patients was 62%. Before Ramadan, 72% of our patients said they had discussed the intention of fasting, with a doctor, or with a religious leader or with the entourage. Treatment’s modification during Ramadan was noted in 54% of patients on their own initiative or on medical opinion; physical activity was practiced in 58% of diabetics. Glycemic monitoring was performed in 53% of patients. Hypoglycemia was reported in 38% of patients, and hyperglycemia in 20%, of whom 14% and 10%, respectively, broke their fast.

Discussion: Our study found that there are deficits in knowledge and inappropriate practices in Muslim patients with diabetes, and the outcomes could have major implications in the incidence of the complications related to diabetes. The development and implementation of educational programs before the sacred month, is the only guarantor to push patients to change their lifestyle during Ramadan, to avoid any potential risk associated with fasting.