Diabetes and Ramadan: how to achieve a safer fast for Muslims with diabetes

Ramadan is a holy month for all Muslims, when they fast from dawn to sunset. Although the Qur’an exempts the sick from fasting, many Muslims with diabetes passionately fast despite their medical condition. The main risks encountered during fasting include worsening of glycaemic control or hypoglycaemia. A better understanding about fasting Ramadan and its risks is an important step for all healthcare professionals managing Muslim people with diabetes. This entails improving patient education as well as tailoring the treatment to meet the needs of this group of people with diabetes to minimise the possible risks. Br J Diabetes Vasc Dis 2010;10:246-250.