ABSTRACT
Although Ramadan lasts only for 1 month each year, it can be accompanied by significant changes in: both energy and nutritional intake; in the diet composition; in the working hours; and the usual way of life. The majority of practitioners consume two meals, one after sunset (Iftar) and one before dawn (Sohor). During this month, it is also an opportunity to share a meal with family and friends, a period of highly intensified socialization. In parallel with the nutritional changes brought about by this unique pattern of fasting in Ramadan, other metabolic and physiological changes may occur, such as fluctuations in body weight and/or disturbance in the quantity and quality of the sleep-wake circadian rhythm. In the verses of the Qur'an, the exemption from fasting in certain situations such as illness is clearly stated. Despite this religious tolerance, many faithful who are eligible for the exemption observe the fast of Ramadan either for the spiritual aspect it provides by performing it, by religious guilt or to mark a normalization in the Muslim community for fear of the gaze of others. The world is experiencing an increase in the emergence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs); leading cause of the global mortality. Environmental and behavioral risk factors related to lifestyle, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, and sedentarity have a causal association with NCDs. Other factors, such as genetic and physiological factors may also be associated (overweight, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia). Diabetes is one of the highest prevalent NCDs in the world and it continues increasing year by year. This chronic disease can lead to significant potential complications (degenerative, dermatological, and acute) to the patient's health. This requires an individual and appropriate care, both dietetic and therapeutic and over the long term will at best make it possible to sensitize the diabetic patient to the adverse effects related to his disease and thus improve its quality of life. Performing the Fast of Ramadan for a diabetic is a common situation. Diabetes is the only chronic disease widely studied in relation to Ramadan fasting. In the literature, many studies have investigated the effects of Ramadan intermittent fasting on diabetic patients. This article aims to provide a general overview and highlight if there are many effect of Ramadan fasting on diabetes, as an example of a NCDs.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical safety and effectiveness of starting insulin aspart (aspart) therapy in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) as a sub-analysis of the multinational, non-interventional A1chieve study. METHODS: Insulin-naïve and insulin-experienced people with T2DM in routine clinical care starting aspart alone at baseline and continuing aspart alone, changing to biphasic insulin aspart 30 (aspart premix) or adding a basal insulin by study end, were included. Safety, tolerability, and efficacy were evaluated over 24 weeks. RESULTS: Overall, 3,898 people started aspart at baseline. Of the 3,313 with 24-week data, 1,545 (46.6%) continued with aspart, 1,379 (41.6%) switched to aspart premix, and 214 (6.5%) added basal insulin, while the remainder switched to other regimens. No serious adverse drug reactions were reported. The proportion of participants reporting hypoglycemia decreased from baseline to week 24 in the aspart alone group (11.2% versus 4.1%, p < 0.001) and in the aspart + basal insulin group (13.1% versus 7.5%, p = 0.040), and was 3.7% at week 24 in the aspart premix group. The mean HbA1c decreased from baseline to week 24 (aspart: -2.1 ± 2.0% [-23 ± 22 mmol/mol], aspart premix: -2.3 ± 1.7% [-25 ± 19 mmol/mol], aspart + basal insulin: -2.0 ± 2.1% [-22 ± 23 mmol/mol]; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Insulin aspart therapy was well tolerated and was associated with improved glucose control over 24 weeks in people with T2DM.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This sub-analysis of the A1chieve study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of changing from a basal-only insulin regimen to biphasic insulin aspart 30. METHODS: A1chieve was an international, multicenter, prospective, open-label, non-interventional, 24-week study in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus starting/switching to therapy with biphasic insulin aspart 30, insulin detemir, or insulin aspart (alone/in combination) in routine clinical practice. This sub-analysis evaluated the safety and effectiveness of switching from basal insulin with either insulin glargine (GLA group) or insulin neutral protamine Hagedorn (NEU group) to biphasic insulin aspart 30. RESULTS: A total of 2,818 participants received biphasic insulin aspart 30 (1,395 in the GLA group and 1,423 in the NEU group). After 24 weeks of treatment, there were significant reductions in the proportion of patients with at least one hypoglycemia event: total [baseline vs. 24 weeks: 15.5% vs. 9.7% (p < 0.001) and 12.3% vs. 9.9% (p < 0.05), in NEU and GLA groups, respectively], major [2.5% vs. 0.08% (p < 0.001) and 1.2% vs. 0.08% (p < 0.001), in NEU and GLA groups, respectively] and nocturnal hypoglycemia [7.2% vs. 3.5% (p < 0.001) and 5.4% vs. 3.9% (p < 0.05), in NEU and GLA groups, respectively]. After 24 weeks of biphasic insulin aspart 30 there were statistically significant improvements from baseline in glycated hemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose, and post-prandial plasma glucose levels (p < 0.001) and in health-related quality of life (p < 0.001) in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Biphasic insulin aspart 30 may benefit patients with poor glycemic control on basal insulin regimens who are seeking to change treatment.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Development of higher standards for diabetes care is a core element of coping with the global diabetes epidemic. Diabetes guidelines are part of the approach to raising standards. The epidemic is greatest in countries with recent rises in income from a low base. The objective of the current study was to investigate the availability and nature of locally produced diabetes guidelines in such countries. METHODS: Searches were conducted using Medline, Google, and health ministry and diabetes association websites. RESULTS: Guidelines were identified in 33 of 75 countries outside North America, western Europe, and Australasia. In 25 of these 33 countries, management strategies for type 1 diabetes were included. National guidelines relied heavily on pre-existing national and international guidelines, with reference to American Diabetes Association standards of medical care and/or other consensus statements by 55%, International Diabetes Federation by 36%, European Association for the Study of Diabetes by 12%, and American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists by 9%. The identified guidelines were generally evidence-based, though there was some use of secondary evidence reviews, including other guidelines, rather than original literature reviews and evidence synthesis. In type 1 diabetes guidelines, the option of different insulin regimens (mostly meal-time + basal or premix regimens) was recommended depending on patient need. Type 2 diabetes guidelines either recommended a glycosylated hemoglobin target of <7.0% (<53 mmol/mol) (70% of guidelines) or <6.5% (<47 mmol/mol) (30% of guidelines) as the ideal glycemic target. Most guidelines recommended a target fasting plasma glucose that fell within the range of 3.8-7.2 mmol/L. Most guidelines also set a 2-h post-prandial glucose target value within the range of 4.0-8.3 mmol/L. CONCLUSION: While only a first step in achieving a high quality of disease management, national guidelines of quality and with fair consistency of recommendations are becoming prevalent globally. A further challenge is implementation of guidelines, by integration into local care processes.
