Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Fasting during Ramadan is a pillar of Islam. The majority of diabetic patients at risk, practice it even if they are exempt. This practice shifts energy and hydration in the evening and reverses the sleep–wake rhythm. The aim of this work is to study the effect of fasting during the holy month on the sleep–wake clock in fasting diabetics.

Patients and Methods: As part of an overall management of accompagnimant for our diabetic patients, an integral health action that aims to stratify the risk for fasting, was carried out before Ramadan in 2019. A questionnaire on sleep habits was completed one week before Ramadan and one month after. Two scales of drowsiness and tiredness were also completed.

Outcomes: Among the 176 participants in this company, 81 type 2 fasting diabetics were collected to answer the sleep quality questionnaire. The total reported sleep duration was much shorter during Ramadan. Fatigability and daytime sleepiness were present in 68% of patients during Ramadan, vs 28% after this month with no notable incidents. The duration of the revealed daily nap was much longer during the holy month with an average of 150 minutes, compared to 90 minutes outside of Ramadan.

Discussion/Conclusion: The effect of fasting during Ramadan on sleep patterns, daytime sleepiness is an interesting topic that provides a highly complex context for future research.

Our observational and analytical study shows that fasting during Ramadan leads to insufficient night sleep with a non–compensatory increase in the duration of daytime naps.

These changes could be related to lifestyle changes that accompany Ramadan fasting rather than the act of fasting itself. Larger studies that control for different confounding factors, such as environmental and cultural factors, are needed to assess the impact of Ramadan fasting on sleepiness. In addition, it is important to assess the impact of Ramadan fasting in different Islamic cultures using the same assessment methods.