Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Ramadan fasting is associated with an increased risk of hypoglycemia in diabetics.

Purpose of the study: To assess the prevalence of diabetic patients who are unable to break the fast in the event of hypoglycemia.

Method: Descriptive prospective study, including diabetic patients followed in the Endocrinology department of the CHU Ibn Rochd in Casablanca from April to June 2021.

Results: Our study included 58 type 2 diabetic patients, all authorized to fast according to the DAR 2021 risk score. The average age was 57.4 years. Most patients were on sulfonylureas (SH) (51.7%). All our patients received pre-Ramadan education on the need to break the fast in the face of any hypoglycemia. Among the patients observing the fast, 24% presented hypoglycaemia, of which 28% did not break the fast. Hypoglycaemia occurred more frequently in patients on combination insulin and oral agents (OADs) (57%) compared to OADs alone (28%). This reluctance was explained by the occurrence of mild hypoglycaemia close to the time of breaking the fast in 57% of patients.

Conclusion: Despite the pre-Ramadan education of diabetics on the need to break the fast in the face of hypoglycemia, there is a worrying prevalence of patients who are unable to break it.