Psychological Effects of Fasting on Patients Suffering from Diabetes Type 2

We conducted this study to compare the psychological effects between diabetic patients taking fast and non-fasting counterparts to better investigate the effects of fasting on mental health of diabetes sufferers.

This study was a prospective cohort conducted among diabetic patients. In this study, two types of fasting and non-fasting patients were invited to take part. During One week before and after the Ramadan, all patients were asked to complete 28-scale General Health Questionnaire (GHQ).

In this study, 116 patients who were suffering from diabetes completed the study. They were compared with each other in format of three groups (two fasting and one non-fasting). Mean changes of total and subscales' score were negative in nearly all groups but there were no significant difference between groups. In addition, total and subscale A, B and C scores significantly increased (positive change) but subscale D score didn’t change in fasting patients during this month.

The results of present study revealed that fasting during the whole month of Ramadan can exacerbate patients' general health in comparison with non-fasting patients. However, because we can't determine whether this finding is attributed to fasting regardless of diabetes or has been resulted from the co-existence of fasting and the disease, it is recommended to design a study to compare diabetic and healthy fasting individuals.