Effect of Fasting for Ramadan on Kidney Graft Function During the Hottest Month of the Year (August) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the effect of fasting Ramadan during the hottest month of the year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study was performed at the King Fahd National Guard Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We used the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula to estimate the glomerular filtration rate in renal transplant patients who fasted and did not fast before and after Ramadan. Results: There were 43 fasters and 37 nonfasters of comparable ages, with fasters having longer posttransplant times compared with nonfasters (P = .0001). The 2 groups had similar mean estimated glomerular filtration rates before Ramadan: 75.6 ± 29.2 and 65.9 ± 25.9 mL/min (P = .1) and similar mean estimated glomerular filtration rates 6 months after Ramadan: 77.2 ± 29.7 and 64.1 ± 29 mL/min (P = .21). Mean changes in the estimated glomerular filtration rate were similar in the 2 groups: -1.5 ± 10.9 and -2.8 ± 19.3 (P = .7) as was the percentage change (-0.2.2 ± 13.4 and 1.8 ± 15.9; P = .4). In the fasting group, serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate were similar before and 6 months after Ramadan: 105.1 ± 55 and 105.14 ± 61 µmol/L (P = 1.0) and 75.6 ± 29 and 72.2 ± 29.7 mL/min (P = .36). No significant changes were observed in the nonfasting group. No significant differences were detected regarding fasting in the estimated glomerular filtration rate before and 6 months after Ramadan in the 3 groups with the low, moderate, and high glomerular filtration rates at baseline. Conclusions: Fasting for Ramadan in August does not adversely affect graft function at a mean followup of 7.6 ± 1.3 months.

Ramadan fasting and chronic kidney disease: does estimated glomerular filtration rate change after and before Ramadan? Insights from a mini meta-analysis

“…We identified six studies. 13,[16][17][18][19][20] The study carried out by Hejaili et al 16 is a prospective cohort study in which 43 fasting subjects and 37 fasting and non-fasting participants are recruited (mean age 45.2±15.6 years in the fasting group, 43.3±15.4 years in the non-fasting group). The study was carried out in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) during two consecutive Ramadan feasts (August 2011, July-August 2012).…”

“…Qurashi et al 17 performed a prospective matched case-control observational study recruiting 43 fasting and 37 non-fasting subjects (mean age 43.7±15.6 years and 41.8±15.4 years respectively). The mean fasting duration was in the range of 12-14 hours.…”

“…The authors did not find any statistically significant differences. Ghalib et al 13 Hejaili et al 16 Qurashi et al 17 Bernieh et al 18 Einollahi et al 19 El-Wakil et al 20 Ghalib et al 13 Bernieh et al 18 Einollahi et al 19…”

Changes in biochemical, hemodynamic, and dialysis adherence parameters in hemodialysis patients during Ramadan

“…9 There have been few reports on the effect of fasting Ramadan in pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients 11,12 and more on post-renal transplant patients. [13][14][15] However, there have been only two reports on a total of 72 patients studying Ramadan changes on hemodialysis patients 4,5. One of those two reports was performed by our group.…”

Muslim patients in Ramadan: A review for primary care physicians

“…[5253585960] Therefore, these patients can fast under medical supervision and continuous assessment of their graft function. Immunosuppressive medications, when prescribed, can be divided into two doses: at suhoor and iftar.…”