The Effects of long Term Fasting in Ramadan on Glucose Regulation in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province.

Abstract

     In Ramadan, Muslims fast food and drink from sunrise to sunset that can affect glycemic control of people with diabetes. There are many Thai Muslims with diabetes in area of this study and poor glycemic control problem is common. This research aims to study the effects of Ramadan fasting on glucose regulation and complications of type 2 diabetic patients. Population of the study was patients who presented at non-communicable diseases clinic of Lumplee Health Promoting Hospital, Lumplee Sub-district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. Data of fasting plasma glucose, weight, height, hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic symptoms were collected on 2 weeks before and after Ramadan. The average fasting plasma glucose was 167.37±48.89 mg/dL before Ramadan and was 168.59±55.03 mg/dL after Ramadan. Paired t-test was used to compare the data and founded that there was no statistically significant difference between pre and post-Ramadan fasting plasma glucose. On the other hand, post-Ramadan weight was significantly lower than pre-Ramadan at the 0.05 level (p=0.013) with 0.48 kg average difference. And fasting duration was associated with hypoglycemic symptoms at the level of 0.05 (p=0.002), but not associated with hyperglycemic symptoms. In this study, Ramadan did not affect to glucose regulation, but the report of hypoglycemic symptoms was higher than average incident, which can be used for care and prevent the complications of patients in Ramadan.