Ramadan fasting and diabetes 2019: The year in review

Abstract

Introduction: The literature on health aspects of Ramadan fasting is widely spread in many journals making it not readily available to those interested in the subject.

Materials and methods: A narrative, non-systematic review of the international literature from two major online databases (viz. Scopus, PubMed) in one year (2019). The search term "Ramadan fasting AND Diabetes" was used, and relevant literature was narrated in a concise thematic account.

Results: Research design included qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods. Articles included controlled trials, critical appraisals, literature narrations, and systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. The publications spanned a vast array of topics related to Ramadan fasting, including assessments of current safety and efficacy profiles of newer diabetes therapies, modes of insulin delivery, and utilization of advanced technology for the treatment and monitoring of blood glucose during Ramadan fasting. Increased interest was particularly evident in capturing the experience element manifested by perceptions, attitudes, and practices of both patients and healthcare professionals during Ramadan. The current literature consolidates previous data on the safety of fasting practices amongst the well-controlled. On the other hand, it emphasizes the need for more aggressive interventions for high-risk patients, promoting the usage of newer anti-diabetic agents and advanced glucose monitoring technology for safer fasting practices.

Conclusions: The volume of global literature production related to Ramadan fasting and Diabetes remains modest. Observational studies of small size prevail. Greater improvements in both quality and quantity of research on Ramadan are needed.

Keywords: Children and adolescents; Diabetes; Diabetic ketoacidosis; Epidemiology; Health Care Professionals perceptions; High risk patients; Hypoglycemia; Literature; Patients perspectives; Ramadan fasting.