Changes in body weight, blood pressure, consumption pattern and biochemical parameters in diabetic patients during fasting in Ramadan

Due to high prevalence of diabetes and the importance of controlling biochemical parameters in diabetic patients and effect of Ramadan fasting on them, we conducted this study in diabetics of Islamshahr. Forty-nine volunteer diabetics (30 women and 19 men) aged 32-67 years (mean±SD: 47±9 years) were selected randomly. Each patient filled an individual questionnaire. Blood samples were taken 2 months before, during the last week of, and 2 months after Ramadan. RAXT auto-analyzer was used to test blood sugar, triglycerides, cholesterol, uric acid, urea and creatinin. Height and weight were measured and BMI was calculated. Blood pressure was obtained in sitting position. Paired t-test was used for analysis. Sixty-three percent of studied subjects had a positive family history. Mean BMI value was 29.6±4.8, 29.2±4.4 (P<0.005) and 29.1±14.3 (P<0.001, compare with before Ramadan) before, during and after Ramadan, respectively. Mean systolic blood pressure value was 139±23, 137±20 and 130±20 (Ns, compare with before Ramadan) before, during and after Ramadan, respectively. The prevalence of diastolic blood pressure more than 89 mmHg was lower during Ramadan in comparison with before and after it. Mean fasting blood sugar increased during Ramadan (202±76 mg/dL) in comparison with before (163 ± 53 mg/dL, P<0.0001) and after (186 ± 60 mg/dL, p<0.05) it. Mean serum triglycerides, cholesterol and uric acid decreased during Ramadan (243 ± 130 vs. 340 ± 228 mg/dL, p<0.005), (222 ± 43 vs. 258 ± 56 mg/dL, P<0.0001) and (4.5±1.4 vs. 4.9±1.2 mg/dL, P<0.003) in comparison with before it, respectively. During Ramadan, the prevalence of abnormal serum cholesterol concentration decreased to lower than half of its prevalence before it. Also, abnormal serum triglycerides was observed less during Ramadan. Any statistical difference was not detected in urea and creatinin before, during and after Ramadan. We concluded that Ramadan fasting is not harmful, but instead it is beneficial by reducing weight, blood pressure, serum cholesterol, triglycerides and uric acid for improvement of patients with diabetes type 2.