Metabolic parameters in type 2 diabetic patients with varying degrees of glycemic control during Ramadan: An observational study

AIMS/INTRODUCTION The changes in metabolic parameters in type 2 diabetic patients who fast during Ramadan have not been studied in Singapore. This study aimed to examine the trends of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), systolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides in diabetic patients with varying degrees of glycemic control and different types of therapeutic approaches during Ramadan. METHODS The present retrospective study used a national electronic database to examine the metabolic parameter of Malay patients with type 2 diabetes. Eligible patients were stratified into three groups based on their mean HbA1c control before Ramadan: group 1 (HbA1c ≥10%), group 2 (HbA1c 7.1-9.9%) and group 3 (HbA1c ≤7%). Patients with a glomerular filtration rate <15 mL/min were excluded. The trends of metabolic parameters were traced before, during and after Ramadan. RESULTS Of 13,565 patients examined, 5,172 patients (38.1%) were eligible for this study. Mean change of HbA1c varied from -1.4% to +0.2% during Ramadan, with the greatest reduction observed in group 1 (P < 0.001). A minimal systolic blood pressure reduction was observed in groups 2 and 3 (2 mmHg; P < 0.01). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides changes were insignificant. A small, 0.1%, reduction in mean HbA1c was observed in patients taking oral antidiabetic agents during Ramadan (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Blood glucose was most affected during Ramadan, particularly in patients with mean baseline HbA1c ≥10%. The type of antidiabetic agent used did not seem to contribute to glycemic changes.