MSD Unveils New Resources for The Facts About Fasting During Ramadan

June 8, 2015 - PRLog -- Lebanon, 08 June 2015 – MSD, known as Merck  in the United States and Canada, today launched new interactive and educational resources to help people with type 2 diabetes in the Middle East who choose to fast during Ramadan.  The Facts About Fasting During Ramadan program recognizes the potential challenges of fasting when you have diabetes, including variations in blood sugar levels as a result of changes in eating patterns.The program encourages people to be prepared by visiting their healthcare professional up to three months in advance of Ramadan^1,[ii] to establish a diabetes management plan they can follow to control their blood sugar levels during the holy month.

According to guidelines from religious and medical organizations, most people with diabetes are exempt from religious fasting because of the increased risks of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), thrombosis and dehydration.¹However, more than 50 million people with diabetes worldwide make the personal decision to fast during Ramadan.¹This number is expected to rise with the increasing prevalence of diabetes in the Middle East.  In Lebanon alone, the prevalence of type 2 Diabetes is estimated at around 14%.

Decreased food intake, as well as certain diabetes medications, are risk factors for developing hypoglycemia.¹ If left untreated, hypoglycemia can lead to serious medical problems including loss of consciousness, convulsions or seizures requiring emergency treatment.[iii]  Another potential risk for people with type 2 diabetes who fast is hyperglycemia, which occurs when there is too much sugar in the blood and can be caused by an increase in food or sugar intake, or by an excessive reduction in dosages of diabetes medications.^1,[iv]

“Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have lived with diabetes for a long time, it is important to control your blood sugar levels throughout the fasting period,” said Doctor. Monzer Saleh, President of the Lebanese Society of Endocrinology, diabetes and lipids “It is a good idea to speak with your healthcare professional up to three months ahead of Ramadan, since you may need to consider making adjustments to your eating habits and diabetes management plan in order to effectively control your blood sugar levels and reduce the risks associated with fasting. With one in ten adults living with diabetes in the Middle East and North Africa, it is important that measurable steps are taken to reduce the risks involved.”

The Ramadan study undertaken previously by people with diabetes who fasted during the holy month showed that the level of awareness when fasting during Ramadan was extremely low. The study also showed that there is an urgent need that blood sugar levels need to be checked regularly when fasting.  Diabetics with type 2 diabetes who take “sitagliptin” are less vulnerable to low blood sugar levels compared to patients who take “sulphonylurea”. The study also found that the change in the pattern of eating during Ramadan could cause health risks and complications for patients with type ll diabetes, including the risks of having low blood sugar levels.

Dr. Ahmad Ghazzawi, head of the endocrinology department in Hammoud Hospital, said “Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions globally. This is a fact due to the markedly increasing number of patients. In 2012, the number of people who have been diagnosed with diabetes has reached about 371 million globally. According to international medical references about diabetes, the number will increase to 552 million patients in 2030.”

“In Lebanon, 15% of the population are diagnosed with diabetes, and the reality is such  that there is still a large number of undiagnosed cases. A study conducted in 1996 in Saida showed that 6% of people suffered from pre-diabetes, and 2% have the illness without knowing it. In 2013, the study was conducted again and the number of people living with undiagnosed diabetes increased to 4% and people who develop pre-diabetes  increased to 16%.

During the holy month of Ramadan, it is reported that there are more than 50 million muslims living with diabetes and 79% of them fast this month.”

Diabetic patients fasting during Ramadan carry a risk of an assortment of complications. For one, it can lead to the increase or the decrease in patients blood sugar levels ‘especially during summer. The international medical organizations understands the risks involved and identify which patients can and cannot fast. This can be dependent on several factors including intensity of illness, patients age and any other complications. A global study conducted on patients with diabetes reports that patients who have seen their doctor before Ramadan and have checked their levels and medication to control blood sugar levels are at a healthy range. Patients who followed these recommendations were able to sustain their blood sugar levels and lose weight while fasting, while other patients blood sugar levels dropped and had gained weight during Ramadan.

Dr. Taher Elghobashi, Managing Director MSD Levant commented, “The Facts About Fasting During Ramadan program is aimed at helping Muslim patients with type 2 diabetes, understand the medical facts associated with fasting during Ramadan.”

About MSD

Today's MSD is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. MSD is known as Merck in the United States and Canada. Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies and animal health products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to healthcare through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. For more information, visit www.msd.com.

Al Arouj M, Assaad-Khalil S, Buse J, Fahdil I, Fahmy M, Hafez S, Hassanein M, Ibrahim. M, Kendall D, Kishawi S, Al-Madini A, Nakhi A, Tayeb K, Thomas A, Recommendations for the management of diabetes during Ramadan. Diabetes Care. August 2010; 33:8

[ii]Pathan MF, Sahay RK, Zargar AH, et al. South Asian Guidelines for Management of Endocrine Disorders in Ramadan: South Asian Consensus Guideline: Use of GLP-1 analogue therapy in diabetes during Ramadan. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2012;16:525-7.

[iii]Defining and Reporting Hypoglycemia in Diabetes: A report from the American Diabetes Association Workgroup on Hypoglycemia, Diabetes Care, Vol 28, No. 5, 2005

[iv] Mednet, Hypergylcemia, 2010. http://www.medicinenet.com/hyperglycemia/page2.htm  [Last accessed March 2015].