Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the effects of diabetic drug adjustment during the Ramadan
period among fasting diabetic residents of Tuyong subdistrict, Nongjik district, Pattani Province, who had received
treatment in Nongjik Hospital during the period from October 1, 2006 to October 12, 2007. Diabetic
complications and changes in glucose levels before and during the Ramadan period were detected among 41
patients with diabetic drug adjustment, compared with 38 patients without drug adjustment. Data on their
blood glucose levels were obtained from OPD cards and from monitoring chart records during the Ramadan
period. SPSS for Windows was used to analyze the data.
The distributions of sex, age, co-morbidity and diabetic drug use were comparable between both groups.
Diabetic complications were found only in patients without diabetic drug adjustment. There were three cases
with hyperglycemia and two with hypoglycemia. Before the Ramadan period, both groups had comparable
mean glucose levels. During the Ramadan period, the mean glucose level was significantly lower in the patients
with diabetic drug adjustment than those without drug adjustment. Patients with drug adjustment were significantly
more likely to control their blood glucose levels than the other group.
Diabetic drug adjustment is useful during the Ramadan period. Before the Ramadan period, good health
education about food intake, diabetic complications, and the benefits of drug adjustment should be given to
diabetic Muslim patients.
