The chronic and acute effects of hyperglycemia affecting cognition and work are as important as those of hypoglycemia. Its impact, considering that majority of diabetic patients fail to reach therapeutic targets, would be potentially significant. Self monitoring of blood glucose, recognition of body cues and management interventions should be geared not only towards avoidance of disabling hypoglycemia, but also towards unwanted hyperglycemia. Over the long term, chronic hyperglycemia is a risk for cognitive decline. Acute episodes of hyperglycemia, above 15 mmol/L have also been shown to affect cognitive motor tasks. Maintaining blood sugar to avoid hyperglycemia in diabetic workers will help promote safety at work.
Blood Glucose ; Cognition ; Cues ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Hypoglycemia

INTRODUCTIONMillions of Muslim patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) fast during Ramadan. However, little is known about the metabolic impact of Ramadan fasting. We aimed to study the changes in body composition and metabolic profile in this group of patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODSWe studied 29 Southeast Asian Muslim patients with type 2 diabetes; all underwent pre-Ramadan education. Study variables were weight change, body composition (using multifrequency bioimpedance method, InBody S20®, Biospace, South Korea), blood pressure (BP), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting lipid profile, and caloric intake assessment using FoodWorks® nutrient analysis software.

RESULTSTwenty-three subjects fasted ≥15 days; mean ± SD: 57 ± 11 years; 52% were males. HbA1c improved significantly (8.6 ± 2.4% pre-Ramadan vs 8.0 ± 2.3% end-Ramadan, P = 0.017). Despite similar body weight, there was reduction in body fat mass (BFM) (30.9 ± 11 kg vs 29.2 ± 12.2 kg, P = 0.013). Multivariate analysis suggested that the reduction in HbA1c was attributed by reduction in BFM (β = -0.196, P = 0.034). There was no change in visceral adiposity (visceral fat area (VFA)) but stratification by gender showed a reduction amongst females (137.6 ± 24.5 cm2 to 132.5 ± 25.7 cm2, P = 0.017). These changes occurred despite similar total caloric intake (1473.9 ± 565.4 kcal vs 1473.1 ± 460.4 kcal, P = 0.995), and proportion of carbohydrate (55.4 ± 6.3% vs 53.3 ± 7.5%, P = 0.25) and protein intake (17.6 ± 4.1% vs 17.3 ± 5.4%, P = 0.792), before and during Ramadan respectively, but with increased proportion of fat intake (11.9 ± 2.4% vs 13 ± 11.7%, P = 0.04). Seven out of 23 patients had medications adjusted to avert symptomatic hypoglycaemia but none of the patients developed severe hypoglycaemia.

CONCLUSIONRamadan fasting can be practiced safely with prior patient education and medication adjustment. It also confers modest benefits on metabolic profile and body composition, especially among females.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Body Composition ; Body Mass Index ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; physiopathology ; Energy Intake ; Fasting ; physiology ; Female ; Glycated Hemoglobin A ; metabolism ; Holidays ; Humans ; Islam ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prospective Studies ; Sex Factors ; Singapore ; Weight Gain ; Weight Loss