The Impact of Fasting on Metabolic and Anthropometric Parameters in Type II Diabetic Patients: A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

Introduction: Fasting has certain effects on metabolic and anthropometric parameters in diabetic patients. It is therefore, necessary for patients to receive proper instructions about their physical activities, eating habits, blood glucose monitoring and medications. Aim: To investigate the effects of fasting on metabolic and anthropometric indices in type II diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was performed during Ramadan 2018. The study population consisted of 40 type II diabetic patients (33 females and 7 males) who wished to fast. They started to follow given instructions on their physical activity, eating habits, blood glucose monitoring, and medications before Ramadan. Anthropometric variables were measured pre and post-Ramadan. Fasting Blood/Plasma Glucose (FBG/FPG), Glucose 2 Hour Postprandial (2h PPG), glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), and the lipids profile were assessed before and after Ramadan. FPG and 2h PPG were also evaluated on the fifteenth day of Ramadan. Data were presented as mean±SD. Paired t-test was employed and a p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: After completion of the study, anthropometric variables of patients, including weight (74.9±12.7 vs. 73.0±13.1 kg, p<0.001), BMI (29.9±5.2 vs. 29.0±5.1 kg/m2, p=0.042), waist circumference (106.2±11.8 vs. 105.3±11.6 cm, p<0.001), conicity index (9.94±0.96 vs 9.80±0.99, p=0.085), systolic blood pressure (118.5±10.6 vs. 113.8±9.4 mmHg, p=0.018), Diastolic blood pressure (72.0±7.9 vs. 68.3±7.0 mmHg, p=0.02) and FPG (125.1±27.4 vs. 105.2±21.4 mg/dL, p<0.001) decreased significantly. However, serum triglyceride increased significantly (127.5±45.5 vs. 166.5±53.5 mg/dL, p<0.001) after fasting compared to pre-Ramadan measurements. Changes in other variables were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that fasting had beneficial effect on fasting blood glucose level and anthropometric parameters in type II diabetic patients.