Original article
English
Rafik Ramadan Elmehdawi 1,2, Nama Ali Mukhtad 2, Najla Ibrahim Allaghi 2, Suhair Jaber Elmajberi 2
1-Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Arab Medical University, Benghazi, Libya; 2-Benghazi Diabetes and Endocrine Center (BDEC), Benghazi, Libya
Libyan J Med 2010, 5: 5036 – DOI: 10.3402/ljm.v5i0.5036
Abstract
Background: The epidemiology of diabetes and Ramadan fasting was reported from many Muslim countries, but not from Libya. Methodology: We interviewed 493 consecutive diabetic patients at Benghazi Diabetes and Endocrine Center for the potential complications of fasting during Ramadan. Results: We found 70% of diabetic patients completed the 30 days of Ramadan fasting. Hypo- and hyperglycemia was the most commonly reported complications especially during the first two weeks of Ramadan month. Conclusion: It seems majority of diabetic patients in Libya manage to fast during Ramadan month. Patient education and early planned adjustment of diabetic medication is needed to decrease the frequency of diabetic complication during Ramadan month.
Keywords: diabetes; hypoglycemia; hyperglycemia; fasting; Ramadan
Link/DOI: http://www.libyanjournalofmedicine.net/index.php/ljm/article/view/5036/5472