The Effect of Self Glucose Monitoring on Glycemic Control of Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Fasting During Ramadan
Abstract
Background: It is known that a significant number of patients with diabetes insist
on fasting in the month of Ramadan, despite the advice of their physicians and
reliable authorities. In order to provide the best possible care and support to these
patients, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the Diabetes and Ramadan
(DAR) International Alliance created practical guidelines. The aim of this study was
to investigate the effect of consulting a physician and glucose self-monitoring on
diabetes management during Ramadan in patients with fasting diabetes.
Methods: With this retrospective observational study, patients over 18 years of age
who were diagnosed with diabetes, who came to the diabetes outpatient clinic for
control after Ramadan and who made their follow-up from our outpatient clinic before
Ramadan, were included. Participants intending to fast (previous or not) were asked
about previous fasting experiences, questions about whether they consulted the
doctor before Ramadan, and for those who fasted, how they spent this Ramadan.
The biochemical data of fasting patients before and after Ramadan were analyzed.
Results: A total of 394 patients with diabetes participated in the questionnaire and
98 of them (24.9 %) who were fasted were included in the study. The mean age of
the fasting patients with diabetes was 59.7 ± 12.3 years and39.2 %were female. It
was detected that 86.7% of the fasting people were fasting for more than 15 days.
Fasting rates were higher in males than females (32.4% to 20.8%). It was found
that 25.9% of patients with type 2 DM and 10.3% of patients with type 1 DM were
fasting. It was determined that 62.8% of the patients intending to fast were consulted
to the physician about this subject, 55.3% of them were determined risk by physician
and 70% of them followed up with self monitoring blood glucose (SMBG).It was
determined that 23.4% (23/98) of fasting patients had a reduction in the number or
dose of diabetes medications used; 5.1% (5/98) experienced a complication that
would disrupt fasting; 16.3% gained weight (2.8 ± 2.4 kg) and 23.5% lost weight (2.7
± 1.9 kg). A significant increase in HbA1c and a significant decrease in UACR were
detected. It has been determined that A1c control of those who follow with SMBG is
better protected than those who do not.
Conclusion: In our study, it was seen that a quarter of patients with diabetes fasted.
The most valuable result of this study is that the diabetic patients have achieved
a more successful diabetes control by providing auto control mechanisms with
SMBG, regardless of whether or not they have received medical advice by physician
consultation during the Ramadan period.
Source
Acta Medica AlanyaVolume
6Issue
1URI
https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/1791373https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12868/1746