Evaluation of optimum diabetes care on glycemic control of patients with gestational diabetes during Ramadan fasting.

AIMS: There is limited evidence that evaluates the impact of fasting during Ramadan in pregnant women. We explored the safety of fasting in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) in Ramadan, while understating the glycemic variability. METHODS: 25 patients with GDM who choose to fast, were enrolled and provided optimum care that included Ramadan focused education and FreeStyle LibreFlashContinuous Glucose Monitoring(FSL-CGM) was utilized for 2-4 weeks assessment period of non-Ramadan days plus 2-3 weeks during Ramadan and medication adjustment. RESULTS: The average glucose improved significantly, while time in target and percent above target numerically improved during Ramadan compared to pre-Ramadan. There was significant increment on the number of hypoglycemic events in Ramadan. The average lowest blood glucose reading reduced significantly by 14 mg/dL with average duration of hypoglycemic events increased significantly by 38.5 min. CONCLUSION: Our study reinforces the importance of structured education before Ramadan to deliver optimal care for the management of diabetes. Strikingly FSL-CGM demonstrated that hypoglycemia is significantly increased during Ramadan Fasting. There was effective reflection of hyperglycemic spikes, immediately post Iftar. The results corroborated with the earlier studies for higher frequency of hypoglycemia during Ramadan fasting, under similar standards of care in high-risk patients with diabetes.

Impact of provision of optimum diabetes care on the safety of fasting in Ramadan in adult and adolescent patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: All diabetes and Ramadan guidelines advice against fasting for people with type 1 diabetes, however, many insist on fasting. Consequently, this causes a challenge due to the risk of hypoglycaemia, hyperglycemia ± diabetic ketoacidosis. AIM: To assess the impact of optimum care, which includes Ramadan-focused education, flash glucose monitoring, dietary advice and treatment adjustment on the safety of Ramadan fasting in people with type 1 diabetes. METHODS: Thirty persons with type 1 diabetes who insisted to fast during Ramadan were recruited to the study. At pre-Ramadan visit, all patients received Ramadan focused education and Freestyle Libre (FSL) sensor insertion and training. Patients used the sensor for 6 weeks (pre-Ramadan and during Ramadan). The physical and biological parameters were collected 2-4 weeks before and after Ramadan. RESULTS: 22 patients on basal bolus insulin and 2 on an insulin pump had FSL data. Average number of days fasted were 24. Learning benefits was reported by 95% of patients following pre-Ramadan educational session. There was no clinically significant change in physical and/or biological data between pre and post-Ramadan. 63% reported making insulin dose adjustments in Ramadan. Flash glucose monitoring data showed 46.7% of patients had more than 10 hypoglycemic episodes in the 2 weeks prior to Ramadan compared to 29.2% during Ramadan. However, none of the data were statistically significant apart from HbA1c which reduced from prior to RamadanHbA1c of 8.2% to 7.9% post Ramadan (P 0.010). There was one DKA on 2nd day of Ramadan, reported due to missing insulin dose to avoid hypoglycemia. CONCLUSION: Optimal care of selective patients with type 1 diabetes with a low complication rate may allow Ramadan fasting with improvement in glycemic control and without an increase in hypoglycemia, biometric or metabolic parameters. Larger, randomized controlled trials are required to be able to generalize this as a recommendation.

The use of Free Style Libre Continues Glucose Monitoring (FSL-CGM) to monitor the impact of Ramadan fasting on glycemic changes and kidney function in high-risk patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease stage 3 under optimal diabetes care.

AIM: To understand the risk of hypoglycaemia during Ramadan fasting by use of CGM, as well as to observe the Glycemic control and renal functions in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease stage 3 (CKD-3). METHOD: A prospective interventional study conducted in the Dubai Hospital, a tertiary care centre in the United Arab Emirates, during the month of Ramadan 1437 AH (Hijri), which corresponded to June 6th till July 5th, 2016. 25 patients with type 2 diabetes and stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD stage 3) were included in the study, who intended to fast during Ramadan. The aim was to observe the serum glucose level through 24 h FreeStyle Libre flash continuous glucose monitor (FSL-CGM). Most patients had three sensors during the study, covering an average three weeks during Ramadan and three weeks outside Ramadan (Sha'ban and shawal). We also monitored the change in, BP, HBA1c, kidney functions and BMI before and after Ramadan. RESULTS: This study included 25 adults with a mean age of 60 (±14 years). Fasting Ramadan did not result in any significant change in biophysical and biochemical profile of these patients. Data from FSL-CGM showed significantly longer duration (101.9 ±â€¯119.1 Vs. 45.9 ±â€¯47.6 min, p < 0.033) and more frequent hypoglycemic episodes (4.4 ±â€¯4.7 Vs. 2.3 ±â€¯3.0, p < 0.047) during Ramadan compared tonon-Ramadan respectively. The mean blood glucose readings were also significantly lower (70.7 ±â€¯29.3 Vs.93.7 ±â€¯57.9 mg/dl p < 0.011) during Ramadan compared to non -fasting period. The renal function mean ±â€¯SD (serum creatinine 1.48 ±â€¯0.37, 1.44 ±â€¯0.37 and eGFR, 49.0 ±â€¯18.4, 48.9 ±â€¯17.5 p 0.9) showed no significant change due to fasting. CONCLUSION: In patients with diabetes and CKD-stage 3 Ramadan fasting under close supervision and optimal diabetes care, was not associated with worsening of HBA1c and renal function. Patients had significantly more frequent and prolonged hypoglycemic episodes during Ramadan.

Impact of optimum diabetes care on the safety of fasting in Ramadan in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus on insulin therapy.

AIM: We aimed at evaluating the safety of fasting Ramadan for insulin treated type 2 diabetes patients by assessing the biochemical, biometric parameters, flash glucose monitoring (FGM) data as compared to pre-Ramadan and hospital admissions with diabetes or non-diabetes conditions. The risks of fasting between those treated with basal insulin vs intensive insulin during Ramadan was also assessed. METHODS: We included insulin treated patients with type 2 diabetes and we excluded those with co-morbidities. Patients were provided with Ramadan-focused education, FGM before and during Ramadan and medical advice for treatment adjustment. We measured biologic and biometric data before and after Ramadan. RESULTS: HbA1c reduced from 7.9 ±â€¯1.20 pre-Ramadan to 7.7 ±â€¯1.5% post Ramadan (p = 0.023). Average peak glucose reading was 330.1 ±â€¯79.8 mg/dl before Ramadan improved significantly to reach 289.3 ±â€¯77.7 mg/dl (p = 0.013). Average number of hypoglycemic episodes was higher in intensive insulin group between 1200 and 1800 h (p = 0.028). CONCLUSION: People with type 2 diabetes treated with insulin who fast Ramadan and who are provided with Ramadan focused patient education, individualized treatment adjustment and FGMS were not at increased safety risks as measured by biochemical, biometric and FGM data.

Assessment of risk of fasting during Ramadan under optimal diabetes care, in high-risk patients with diabetes and coronary heart disease through the use of FreeStyle Libre flash continuous glucose monitor (FSL-CGMS).

AIM: Most of Muslims patients with diabetes and Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) elect to fast in Ramadan, but the actual risk in this subset of patients with diabetes is largely unknown. We aimed to understand the safety of fasting in CHD patients with diabetes insisting on fasting Ramadan under optimal care. We also monitored the change in biophysical and biochemical parameters of these patients before and after Ramadan. We conducted this prospective study in a tertiary care hospital in Dubai during Ramadan 2016, (June 6th till July 5th). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 21 Patients with T2DM with stable known CHD during the three months prior to study and insisted on fasting despite advice against it were recruited for the study. All patients received continuous glucose monitoring with free style libre monitoring device (FSL-CGM) during and outside Ramadan period. We recorded DM or CVD-related emergency visit or hospitalisation, change in BMI, systolic and diastolic BP, lipids profile, e-GFR, HBA1c, and frequency of hypoglycemia during Ramadan fasting and not -fasting period. RESULTS: This is first study using CGM in CHD patients with diabetes who observe fast in Ramadan. Patients had a significantly higher incidence (3.2 ±â€¯2.8 vs 1.1 ±â€¯1.6 episodes, p = 0.033) and prolonged duration of hypoglycemia (117.8 ±â€¯87.2, 49.1 ±â€¯59.1 min p 0.022) during fasting compared to non-fasting respectively. No significant alteration was seen in BMI, SBP and DBP, lipid profile and renal function. There is a significant improvement in HBA1c during Ramadan. CONCLUSION: We could not associate any adverse cardiovascular effects with fasting Ramadan in patients with stable CHD under optimal diabetes care. FSL-CGMS data showed higher frequency of hypoglycemia during Ramadan fasting. Studies with larger sample size are needed for further validation of these findings.

Glycemic Control in Patients with Diabetes across Primary and Tertiary Government Health Sectors in the Emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates: A Five-Year Pattern.

OBJECTIVES: In the UAE, the comparative prevalence of diabetes is reported as 18.98%, but there are very few studies evaluating glycemic control. Attaining the optimum glycemic control has been a global challenge over the years. However, there is a trend of global improvement with the availability of newer options of antidiabetic medications, increasing numbers of physicians, and patient awareness. Our primary aim was to assess the level of glycemic control across Dubai Health Authority points of care over the past five years. Additionally, we aimed to compare the differences in glycemic control between primary and tertiary centers, between nationalities, and type I and II diabetes. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the electronic medical records of all patients who attended primary and tertiary care centers within the Dubai Health Authority between 2012 and 2016. All patients with any type of diabetes were included in this assessment. RESULTS: A total of 26 447 patients were included in the study; of these, 73.8% (n = 19 508) were UAE nationals while the other nationalities accounted for 26.2% (n = 6939) of patients. The overall mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels from 2012 to 2016 was 7.76%. Patients attending primary care clinics had a mean HbA1c of 7.64% compared to 7.68% for the tertiary care cohort. Out of the total population, 37.7% achieved HbA1c < 7%. Over 40% of the patients attending primary care centers achieved HbA1c < 7% compared to 34.9% of those who attended tertiary care centers. CONCLUSIONS: Optimum glycemic target was achieved by less than 40% of patients. Glycemic control is still below the desired levels. However, there has been a trend of improvement in the last few years and we are achieving the international average targets. Further collaborative actions from clinical, educational, and strategic sectors are needed to improve our goals further.

The role of optimum diabetes care in form of Ramadan focused diabetes education, flash glucose monitoring system and pre-Ramadan dose adjustments in the safety of Ramadan fasting in high risk patients with diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Physiology of intermittent and prolonged fasting is known from healthy subjects. Evidence on high and very high-risk groups is lacking. The anticipated risks include hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, dehydration and thrombosis. Education, pre-Ramadan doses adjustment, and glucose monitoring devices (Optimum diabetes care in Ramadan) is expected to lower this risk. AIMS: We aimed to assess the value of optimum care in diabetes management during Ramadan on the metabolic parameters of high risk patients with diabetes. Moreover, we wanted to assess and understand the safety of fasting in this group. METHODS: This is a prospective interventional study. Patient with high-risk diabetes who insisted on fasting. High risk patients defined as any one with type 1 or type 2 diabetes on insulin, Gestational diabetes, stage 3 kidney disease, and having history of ischemic heart disease. All patients received a Freestyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring device, and was offered to attend the clinic at any time during the study, this collectively defined as optimum diabetes care during Ramadan. Biometric (Weight, height, Blood pressure) and biochemical (Glycosylated hemoglobin A, Lipids profile, creatinine, and estimated glomerular filtration rate) were reported within 4-6 weeks before and after Ramadan. RESULTS: Total of 169 patients were. Majority were females 54.4% (n = 92). There was a remarkable improvement in glycemic control from 7.6 + 1.2 to 7.3 + 1.2 percent (p = 0.00). Serum creatinine showed a negligible change at the end of the study from 0.81 + 0.3 to 0.82 + 0.2 mg/dl). Only total cholesterol worsened significantly (p = 0.02).

Peri-portal lymphedema in association with an acute adrenal insufficiency: case report.

INTRODUCTION: We report the case of a patient with peri-portal lymphedema in association with severe adrenal insufficiency. To the best of our knowledge, this association was not previously reported in the literature. Peri-portal lymphedema is usually seen in cases such as blunt abdominal trauma, hepatic congestion and post-liver transplantation. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 28-year-old Indian man who presented to our hospital with adrenal crisis and was treated accordingly. Computed tomography of his abdomen showed evidence of peri-portal lymphedema (edema) with some free fluid collection. We excluded other causes of this pathology and followed the patient's condition after steroid replacement therapy. We found no other contributing factors to the patient's peri-portal lymphedema apart from the adrenal crisis, which was more consolidated when we followed the patient after steroid replacement therapy, during which follow-up computed tomography showed complete resolution of the pathology. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude following an extensive MEDLINE® search that this is the first case to be reported for the association between peri-portal lymphedema and adrenal insufficiency, after having excluded all other causes of peri-portal lymphedema. This signifies reporting of this case as the first one in the medical literature.