FREQUENCY OF FASTING DURING THE MONTH OF RAMADAN AMONG DIABETIC PATIENTS ON REGULAR HEMODIALYSIS IN EGYPT: A MULTI-CENTER OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Background: There is an enormous number of studies concerning fasting Ramadan in diabetic patients but still, there is a scarce number of studies that argue the wellbeing of fasting Ramadan for diabetic patients on hemodialysis (HD). Aim of the work: We aimed to assess the frequency and safety of fasting during Ramadan among diabetic patients on HD. Material and methods: This prospective study was conducted on 412 diabetic patients on chronic HD from 25 centres in six governorates all over Egypt during the year 2016 where fasting hours were around 16 hours. The patients who experienced fasting were motivated to fast Ramadan against medical advice. The total studied groups are divided into group 1: patients who fasted most days of Ramadan, group 2: patients who fasted the days of dialysis or fasted infrequently, and group 3: patients who did not fast. Mortality events during Ramadan and for one month after the end of Ramadan, 6 months and one year including the month of Ramadan were estimated. Results: The current study included 412 diabetic patients with CKD on HD, 139 (33, 7%) of those patients were fasting during Ramadan. There was higher blood hemoglobin (Hb) level in diabetic HD patients with fasting most of Ramadan. The number of patients with various viral serologies was comparable in the three studied groups There were more hypertensive patients in group 1 than other studied groups; conversely group 1 had the least number of patients having IHD and the least morbidity during HD sessions. Furthermore, the least number of the mortality after one month, six months, and one year including the month of Ramadan were recorded in that group fasting most of the holy month of Ramadan. Conclusion : Some diabetic hemodialysis patients could fast Ramadan safely, but this could need strict medical supervision.