Key Messages Many Muslims with diabetes choose to fast during Ramadan even though they are exempted from it due to their health conditions. 1 Fasting is associated with excessive glycogen breakdown, increased gluconeogenesis and ketogenesis leading to hyperglycaemia and ketoacidosis. 2,3 Fasting during Ramadan may be associated with improvements in glycaemic control, blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels and body weight. 4-8 Diabetic patients who fast are at higher risk of hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia and ketoacidosis with increased rate of hospitalisation. 9,10 Risk stratification is important to identify patients who are at risk of developing complications during fasting. 2 Pre-Ramadan medical review and education concerning self-care during Ramadan is important. 2,3, 11-14 Regular glucose monitoring is recommended during Ramadan. 2 a) Appropriate meal planning is important to avoid postprandial hyperglycaemia. 14 b) Appropriate modification in intensity and timing of physical activity is important to maintain optimal glycaemic control and optimal weight. 3,14 Adjustment for oral anti-diabetic medications and insulin should be individualised to lower the risk of hypoglycaemia when fasting during Ramadan. 2,16 64 References: Salti I, Bénard E, Detournay B, et al. A population-based study of diabetes and its characteristics during the fasting month of Ramadan in 13 countries: results of the epidemiology of diabetes and Ramadan 1422/2001 (EPIDIAR) study. Diabetes Care. 2004; 27(10): 2306-2311. Al-Arouj M, Assaad-Khalil S, Buse J, et al. Recommendations for management of diabetes during Ramadan: update. 2010. Diabetes Care. 2010; 33(8): 1895-902. Karamat MA, Syed A, Hanif W. Review of diabetes management and guidelines during Ramadan. J R Soc Med. 2010; 103(4): 139-147. Mafauzy M, Mohammed WB, Anum MY, et al. A study of the fasting diabetic patients during the month of Ramadan. Med J Malaysia. 1990; 45(1): 14-17. Benaji B, Mounib N, Roky R, et al. Diabetes and Ramadan: review of the literature. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2006;73(2): 117-125. Chamakhi S, Ftouhi B, Rahmoune NB, et al. Influence of the fast of Ramadan on the balance glycaemic to diabetics. Medicographia. 1991; 13: 27-29. Perk G, Ghanem J, Aamar S, et al. The effect of the fast of Ramadan on ambulatory blood pressure in treated hypertensives. J Hum Hypertens. 2001; 15(10): 723-725. Akturk IF, Biyik I, Kocas C, et al. PP-014 The effect of Ramadan fasting on blood pressure levels of hypertensive patients with combination therapy. Int J Cardiol. 2012; 155(Suppl 1): S103. Salti I, Bénard E, Detournay B, et al A population-based study of diabetes and its characteristics during the fasting month of Ramadan in 13 countries: results of the epidemiology of diabetes and Ramadan 1422/2001 (EPIDIAR) study. Diabetes Care. 2004; 27(10): 2306-2311. Loke SC, Rahim KF, Kanesvaran R, et al. A prospective cohort study on the effect of various risk factors on hypoglycaemia in diabetics who fast during Ramadan. Med J Malaysia. 2010; 65(1): 3-6. Bashir MI, Pathan MF, Raza SA, et al. Role of oral hypoglycaemic agents in the management of Type 2 diabetes mellitus during Ramadan. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2012; 16(4): 503-507. Benaji B, Mounib N, Roky R, et al. Diabetes and Ramadan: review of the literature. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2006;73(2): 117-125. Hui E, Devendra D. Diabetes and fasting during Ramadan. Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2010; 26(8): 606-610. Bravis V, Hui E, Salih S, et al. Ramadan Education and Awareness in Diabetes (READ) programme for Muslims with Type 2 diabetes who fast during Ramadan. Diabet Med. 2010; 27(3): 327-331. Persatuan Dietitian Malaysia. Medical Nutrition Therapy Guidelines for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. 2013. Second Edition. Almaatouq MA. Pharmacological approaches to the management of Type 2 diabetes in fasting adults during Ramadan. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes . 2012; 5: 109-119.