Fasting with adrenal insufficiency: Practical guidance for healthcare professionals managing patients on steroids during Ramadan

Evaluation of therapeutic education on intermittent fasting in patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency: A clinical trial

OBJECTIVES

Intermittent fasting was associated with complications in patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI). The study aimed to evaluate the impact of therapeutic education and drug adjustment on Ramadan fasting outcomes in patients with secondary AI (SAI).

METHODS

A case-control prospective interventional study including patients with SAI willing to fast Ramadan 2023, and age-, gender-, and body mass index-matched healthy fasting controls. Before Ramadan, clinical examination, education for lifestyle measures, and hydrocortisone intake adjustment were performed. The occurrence of complications and the number of fasted days during Ramadan 2023 were reported and compared with those of Ramadan 2022 in patients and controls.

RESULTS

A total of 50 patients; 33 women, median age: 43 years (34-55), median duration of SAI: 7.5 years (4-12.5), and 100 controls were enrolled, and fasted in 2023. Thirty-four patients and 100 controls fasted in 2022, corresponding to a 32% increase in fasting patients. Compared to 2022, there was a significant decrease in the frequency of complications in 2023 in patients compared to controls. The number of fasted days did not change. No severe event happened during the 2023 fasting. In patients, apart from the age that was higher in former fasters compared to new fasters, age, gender, body mass index, blood pressure levels, renal clearance, disease duration, and daily hydrocortisone dose were not associated with new versus former fasters, high versus low-risk patients, or incomplete versus complete month fasters.

CONCLUSIONS

Therapeutic education enabled more patients with SAI to fast and reduced the frequency of complications during fasting. Registered on "clinical trials.gov," April 12, 2023, under the identifier ID: NCT05827965.

Ramadan intermittent fasting for patients with gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary diseases: practical guidance for health-care professionals

Ramadan intermittent fasting can pose challenges and risks for some groups of patients. Based on a narrative literature review and our clinical expertise, we provide practical guidance for clinicians managing patients with gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary conditions who wish to fast during Ramadan. Following the established International Diabetes Federation and Diabetes and Ramadan International Alliance risk stratification framework, we categorised patients' risk as low or moderate, high, or very high. We advise all patients at very high risk and most patients at high risk to not observe fasting due to potential harm. For others, we offer nuanced recommendations on medication rescheduling, lifestyle changes, and tailored fasting advice to minimise adverse effects. Shared decision making that respects patients' religious motivations is essential, with risks and benefits carefully weighed on an individual basis.

The use of prednisolone during Ramadan fasting in patients with adrenal insufficiency

OBJECTIVE

Once daily prednisolone taken at predawn has been proposed to be the glucocorticoid replacement of choice in patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI) who intend to fast for the month of Ramadan. However, the effects of prednisolone on metabolic parameters and quality of life during fasting for Ramadan are unknown.

DESIGN, PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS

Patients with AI on twice-daily hydrocortisone, who had low or moderate risk and intended to fast, were recruited. Patients were converted to prednisolone 5 mg once daily taken at sahur (predawn) and Ramadan education given. Weight, sleep duration, biochemical parameters and quality of life measures (SF-36 questionnaire) were analysed at the end of Ramadan and compared against baseline.

RESULTS

Twenty patients (13 men) were recruited, with a mean age of 59.9 ± 15.0 years. All patients were on hydrocortisone 15 mg daily (in divided doses) as pre-Ramadan glucocorticoid replacement. Half had type 2 diabetes with low IDF-DAR risk. Eighty-five percent of patients completed the full 29 days of fasting with no complications. There was a significant reduction in weight (-1.1 ± 1.6 kg, p = .005), with no significant change in blood pressure or sleep duration. There was a significant increase in urea (0.80 ± 1.1 mmol/L, p = .005) and haematocrit, (0.011 ± 0.019 L/L, p = .019) and decrease in serum sodium (-1.6 ± 3.0 mmol/L, p = .028), with no change in serum creatinine or liver function. Quality of life measures were preserved in all domains with significant improvement in role limitation due to physical health (15.3 ± 21.6, p = .005) and bodily pain (8.8 ± 16.3, p = .031).

CONCLUSIONS

This study has demonstrated that converting patients with AI who are fasting for Ramadan from twice-daily hydrocortisone to prednisolone 5 mg daily at sahur was safe, with no major short-term adverse effects. Despite the higher equivalent glucocorticoid doses, patients experienced weight loss and no clinically significant change in blood pressure, sleep, biochemical parameters or quality of life. This study paves the way to trial even lower doses of prednisolone once daily in patients fasting for Ramadan with AI.

Burden and Patterns of Medical Emergencies during Ramadan Fasting: A Narrative Review

Introduction Acute medical problems may occur more frequently during Ramadan fasting (RF). We aimed to provide a narrative overview of the global literature on medical emergencies during RF.

Methods This is a nonsystematic review of the international literature from one major medical online database (PubMed, National Institutes of Health, United States). The relevant literature was narrated in a concise thematic account.

Results There is a variable impact in the burden and time distribution of emergency services and hospitalization during RF that may require readjustment of resource allocation. Studies of the risk of accidents and injuries may be increased overall or at specified times, around Iftar time. A classical impact of emergencies has been the risk of worsening peptic ulcer disease. RF impacts diabetic emergencies such as severe hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and diabetic ketoacidosis, particularly in type 1 diabetes and poorly controlled patients. Glucocorticoid replacement therapy may represent a challenge to patients and physicians that require education and dose adjustment. Acute neurological conditions of interest include the “first day of Ramadan headache,” epilepsy, and strokes. Several studies evaluated the risk of the acute coronary syndrome and heart failure with inconsistent findings. RF may impact the renal and urological systems through stone disease, renal colic, and acute kidney. The impact on hematological conditions was mostly focused on the safety of anticoagulant therapy during Ramadan.

Conclusion The review addresses the emergency medical encounters of the fasting patient during Ramadan to allow a holistic and ethnically sensitive approach to medical care under circumstances where decisions have to be taken with no delay.

Ramadan fasting: recommendations for patients with cardiovascular disease

Ramadan fasting is observed by most of the 1.8 billion Muslims around the world. It lasts for 1 month per the lunar calendar year and is the abstention from any food and drink from dawn to sunset. While recommendations on 'safe' fasting exist for patients with some chronic conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, guidance for patients with cardiovascular disease is lacking. We reviewed the literature to help healthcare professionals educate, discuss and manage patients with cardiovascular conditions, who are considering fasting. Studies on the safety of Ramadan fasting in patients with cardiac disease are sparse, observational, of small sample size and have short follow-up. Using expert consensus and a recognised framework, we risk stratified patients into 'low or moderate risk', for example, stable angina or non-severe heart failure; 'high risk', for example, poorly controlled arrhythmias or recent myocardial infarction; and 'very high risk', for example, advanced heart failure. The 'low-moderate risk' group may fast, provided their medications and clinical conditions allow. The 'high' or 'very high risk' groups should not fast and may consider safe alternatives such as non-consecutive fasts or fasting shorter days, for example, during winter. All patients who are fasting should be educated before Ramadan on their risk and management (including the risk of dehydration, fluid overload and terminating the fast if they become unwell) and reviewed after Ramadan to reassess their risk status and condition. Further studies to clarify the benefits and risks of fasting on the cardiovascular system in patients with different cardiovascular conditions should help refine these recommendations.

Intermittent fasting in adrenal insufficiency patients: a review and guidelines for practice

Ramadan fasting is a religious duty for adult Muslims. Even though sick people are exempted from fasting, numerous are those who insist on fasting, and seek advice from their physicians. The role of the physician is to support his patient and preserve his health. However, little is known about intermittent fasting in adrenal insufficiency. The aim of this review was to determine the risks of fasting in patients with adrenal insufficiency, the subjects at risk of complications, and the measures that can be undertaken for safe fasting. The analysis of the data of the different studies showed that there is a risk of complications during fasting in these patients. Optimal glucocorticoid replacement therapy for safe fasting has not yet been determined. Finally, a risk stratification and the modalities of the pre-Ramadan visit for adrenal insufficiency fasting patients have been suggested.

Effects of fasting on solid organ transplant recipients during Ramadan - a practical guide for healthcare professionals

Fasting in the month of Ramadan is an obligatory act for healthy adult Muslims. It requires abstinence from food and drink from dawn to sunset. Although there are exemptions from fasting, many patients are keen to fulfil what they see as a religious obligation, even if this may be against medical advice in some cases. Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients often ask healthcare professionals for advice on fasting. Studies on the effect of fasting in transplant patients have all been done in the Middle East and North Africa where the average fasting duration is between 12 and 14 hours. In comparison, in temperate regions in the summer, fasting duration can be as long as 20 hours. Fasting when patients have to take immunosuppression 12 hours apart with little time variation poses unique challenges. In this review, current literature is reviewed, and a decision-making tool has been developed to assist clinicians in discussing the risks of fasting in transplant recipients, with consideration also given to circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Our review highlights that SOT recipients wishing to fast should undergo a thorough risk assessment, ideally 3 months before Ramadan. They may require medication changes and a plan for regular monitoring of graft function and electrolytes in order to fast safely. Recommendations have been based on risk tiers (very high risk, high risk and low/moderate risk) established by the International Diabetes Federation and the Diabetes and Ramadan International Alliance. Patients in the 'very high risk' and 'high risk' categories should be encouraged to explore alternative options to fasting such as winter fasting or Fidyah. Those in the 'low/moderate' category may be able to cautiously fast with guidance from their clinician. Prior to the commencement of Ramadan, all patients must receive up-to-date education on sick-day rules, instructions on when to terminate their fast or abstain from fasting.

Management of adrenal insufficiency during Ramadan fasting: a survey of physicians

INTRODUCTION

Appropriate dose adjustments of glucocorticoids replacement therapy for adrenal insufficiency (AI) is vital.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to scope physicians' perceptions, and practices regarding Ramadan fasting (RF) impact on the management of AI.

METHODS

A web-based survey of a convenience sample of endocrinologists.

RESULTS

Nearly two-thirds of 145 respondents (64.1%) were adult endocrinologists and almost half (49%) saw more than 10 hypoadrenal patients per year. Most respondents (78.6%) prescribed hydrocortisone, while the minority prescribed other preparations. The glucocorticoid doses were reportedly divided twice daily by 70.8% and thrice daily by 22.2% of respondents. Respondents recognized RF as having potential consequences in adrenal insufficiency patients included causing hypoglycaemia, undue tiredness, and fatigue, hypotension, feeling dizzy, and light-headedness. Symptoms of under-replacement were thought to happen in the late afternoon by 59.3% of respondents. Almost half (45.5%) of respondents thought that RF has some probable or definite impact on glucocorticoid therapy that certainly warrants specific concern and possible action. Three quarters (76.4%) of respondents confirmed providing specific management recommendations during RF. The most frequently reported recommendation was taking in the usual morning dose of hydrocortisone just before pre-dawn meal (Suhor) (57.8%). A third switch patients from hydrocortisone to prednisolone/prednisone. Half reported providing patients with specific recommendations regarding breaking their fast and/or seeking help if hypoadrenal symptoms occur.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a remarkable variation in the physicians' perceptions and practices regarding the management of AI during Ramadan. This warrants professional effort to increase the awareness and dissemination of evidence-based guidelines.