Sweet news about Ramadan fasting
An inaugural study by NUS Department of Pharmacy researchers spelled good news for Muslim type 2 diabetics during Ramadan
A team of researchers from the NUS Department of Pharmacy has published a first-ever study demonstrating that Muslim type 2 diabetics, whose medication was adjusted during Ramadan, exhibited an improvement in their glucose level. This significant finding allays the patients' fear about fasting during Ramadan.
Graduate student Melanie Siaw and Principal Investigator Associate Professor Joyce Lee conducted a study on 153 Muslim patients suffering from type 2 diabetes, and observed them before, during and after Ramadan. From their findings, Assoc Prof Lee shared that improvements in glucose level were observed in patients whose medication was adjusted during Ramadan. With improvement being a distinct possibility, she said: "Patients should talk to their pharmacist or doctor for adjustment of anti-diabetic medications before fasting during Ramadan so that they can practise safe fasting.
She added that diabetes, which sees abnormal peaks in glucose levels, can bring about "glucose toxicity (that) can hurt the vital organs, like heart and kidneys. The team noted, though, that the improved glucose levels were not sustained after Ramadan, once the patients resumed their normal lifestyle. These findings were published in the International Journal of Endocrinology.
This study was undertaken following an earlier analysis by Assoc Prof Lee and Melanie. Published in the Journal of Diabetes Investigation, the study examined 5,172 Malay patients with type 2 diabetes. Through inspection of the patients' blood glucose level, among other markers, and dosage of anti-diabetic medication, the team found that that changes in blood glucose during Ramadan appeared to be related to patients' glycaemic control prior to Ramadan.
Assoc Prof Lee (right) and graduate student Melanie undertook a first-ever study on dose adjustment for Muslim type 2 diabetics during Ramadan (Photo: The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings Ltd)
Moving forward, the team aims to develop a standardised dose adjustment guide for healthcare providers.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast for around 29 days from dawn to sunset. Worldwide, the number of diabetic Muslims who fast during Ramadan annually is estimated to be in the range of 40 to 50 million. In Singapore, the proportion of adult Singaporeans with type 2 diabetes stands at 11.3% (source: National Health Survey 2010).
