Renal diseases and Ramadan : A r eview of the literature

Background & Aim : C hang es in the dietary pattern and the timing of medications during the Ramadan fast could influence the outcome s of renal diseases in fasting patients. The aim of this study was to review the literature on the effect s of fasting during Ramadan on kidney diseases . Methods: Citations were extracted from PubMed and the Medline database from 1991 through 2013 using the keywords " r enal diseases", "Ramadan" and "fasting". The F irst International Congress on Ramadan and Health was also reviewed . Results : H igh temperature s, rather than Ramadan fasting , appear to be a risk factor for nephrolithiasis. Ramadan fasting may be injurious to renal tubules in pre - dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease ( CKD ) , but the patients on peritoneal dialysis did not experience any serious complications from fasting. Fasting on non - hemo dialysis days may expose patients to weight gain and hyperkalemia with no significant acute complications . The h yperkalemia reported by ESRD patients during fasting was not significant and could be due to insulinopenia and a defective response to epinephrine. Fasting for Ramadan does not appear to adversely affect graft function or increase reject ion ratesamong the kidney transplant recipients who have had stable graft function for 1y. Conclusion: There was no t enough evidence to su ggest that fasting has harmful effects on patients with renal disease or renal transplantation . Most patients with stable renal diseases or a functioning trans p lant can fast without experiencing significant deterioration in renal function . The p atients with CKD with or without dialysis are at risk of hyperkalemia while fasting , especially if they have diabetes . Therefore, CKD patients should be meticulously followed during Ramadan , adhere to a proper diet, continue taking medications and receiving dialysis ; they should stop fasting if any deterioration occurs . ( Inass Taha . Renal diseases and Ramadan: A review of the literature . Life Sci J 2013 ;10 ( 3 ): 450 - 458 ) (ISSN:1097 - 8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com . 66