Mahmoud Nassar1, Thoraya Mohamed Ahmed2, Nilly Helmy AbdAllah3, Khaled El Sayed El Hadidy4, Rania El-Sayed Sheir5. 1. Medicine Department, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai / NYC Health + Hospitals / Queens, New York, USA. Electronic address: Dr.Nassar@aucegypt.edu. 2. Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Beni Suef University, Beni Suef, Egypt. Electronic address: Thoraya.mohamed.aly@gmail.com. 3. Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Beni Suef University, Beni Suef, Egypt. Electronic address: nillyhelmy@yahoo.com. 4. Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Beni Suef University, Beni Suef, Egypt. Electronic address: Kshadidy@hotmail.com. 5. Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Beni Suef University, Beni Suef, Egypt. Electronic address: dr.raniasheir@hotmail.com.
Abstract
AIMS: Ramadan is a holy month for the Muslim community. Fasting Ramadan is directed by a systematic alteration in eating habits, sleeping times, and daily physical activities that optimize blood glucose levels. This study aims to evaluate the effects of structured education on safe fasting among diabetic patients. METHODS: This study included diabetic patients with eligibility for the Ramadan fast. The control group included 494 patients who received standard diabetes education, while the intervention group included 407 patients who attained structured diabetes education. The patients were required to register their responses following the written, structured questionnaires before and after Ramadan fasts. In addition, patients were advised to keep a log of their hypoglycemic episodes. RESULT: This study showed that structured diabetes education improved the blood glucose levels/glycemic control and outcomes of patients during their Ramadan fasting. The structured diabetes education helped reduce the incidence of hypoglycemic events and hyperglycemic crises. It also increased the acceptance and frequency of blood sugar level measurements among patients during Ramadan. CONCLUSION: The standard diabetes management plan should include structured diabetes education measures to improve outcomes effectively. The providers should screen the patients with diabetes before Ramadan and educate them to improve their safe fasting practices.
AIMS: Ramadan is a holy month for the Muslim community. Fasting Ramadan is directed by a systematic alteration in eating habits, sleeping times, and daily physical activities that optimize blood glucose levels. This study aims to evaluate the effects of structured education on safe fasting among diabetic patients. METHODS: This study included diabetic patients with eligibility for the Ramadan fast. The control group included 494 patients who received standard diabetes education, while the intervention group included 407 patients who attained structured diabetes education. The patients were required to register their responses following the written, structured questionnaires before and after Ramadan fasts. In addition, patients were advised to keep a log of their hypoglycemic episodes. RESULT: This study showed that structured diabetes education improved the blood glucose levels/glycemic control and outcomes of patients during their Ramadan fasting. The structured diabetes education helped reduce the incidence of hypoglycemic events and hyperglycemic crises. It also increased the acceptance and frequency of blood sugar level measurements among patients during Ramadan. CONCLUSION: The standard diabetes management plan should include structured diabetes education measures to improve outcomes effectively. The providers should screen the patients with diabetes before Ramadan and educate them to improve their safe fasting practices.