Objectives: Fasting in summer months for Muslim people with diabetes during Ramadan is challenging, particularly in temperate climates, where duration of fasting is prolonged. Risk of fasting may be greater in people with diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). We aimed to prospectively monitor the outcomes of patients with diabetes and CKD stage 3 during Ramadan 2018 in East London.
Methods: Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and CKD stage 3 attending community diabetes clinics were approached prior to Ramadan 2018 to discuss fasting. Patients were risk categorised according to Diabetes and Ramadan Alliance guidelines. If they chose to fast, Ramadan education was given, and biomedical assessments were undertaken within one week prior to and one week after fasting. Outcomes between patients fasting and non-fasting groups were compared.
Results: Fasting (n = 68) and non-fasting groups (n = 71) were similar apart from slightly higher insulin use in the non-fasting group. Median days fasted was 21 (range 12-29). There were no significant changes in weight, blood pressure, creatinine, glycated haemoglobin, cholesterol and urinary PCR pre- and post-Ramadan, and no significant differences between the fasting and non-fasting groups. There was no difference in adverse events (acute kidney injury, hypoglycaemia or cardiovascular events) between the fasting and non-fasting groups.
Conclusions: No significant differences were seen in clinical or biochemical parameters, or adverse events between fasting and non-fasting patients. Patients with T2D and stable CKD stage 3 may be able to fast safely during Ramadan.
Keywords: Chronic Kidney Disease; Diabetes; Fasting; Ramadan.
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