Hopital La Rabta

Intermittent fasting in patients with adrenal insufficiency is associated with an increased risk of complications, such as dehydration. A recent study showed that nearly half the patients had hypotension before the fasting month and half had signs of dehydration during fasting. So, we are planning to carry out this prospective interventional study in patients with SAI and hypotension to evaluate the effect of treating hypotension with fludrocortisone on the risk of complications during fasting. Patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency and hypotension and who are willing to fast during Ramadan 2025 will be included. Before Ramadan, they will be treated with fludrocortisone at a dose of 50micg/day. The occurrence of complications and the number of fasted days during Ramadan 2025 will be reported and compared with those of Ramadan 2023.

Ramadan, a fasting period observed by many Muslim patients, poses a significant challenge for glycemic management in diabetics. During this month, abstinence from food, water, and medication from dawn to dusk leads to significant glycemic fluctuations. Inadequate insulin dose management can cause acute complications such as hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, ketosis, or hyperosmolar states. In 2021, the Diabetes and Ramadan (DAR) guidelines provided recommendations for adjusting insulin doses, taking into account changes in circadian rhythms and patients' dietary habits. However, these standardized recommendations may not be suitable for everyone. A personalized alternative, the Carbohydrate Fasting Test (CFT), allows for the assessment of individual basal insulin needs through a controlled fast excluding carbohydrates for 24 hours. Comparing these two approaches could provide valuable insights into their relative effectiveness, particularly in terms of safety and quality of life for patients.
Moreover, diabetes can be influenced by fasting, with potentially beneficial effects on inflammation and metabolism.
This study aims to determine which of these two methods optimizes glycemic control and to assess the variations of inflammation markers before and after Ramadan fasting. The results could be integrated into future clinical practices to improve diabetes management during Ramadan. We aim to compare the effectiveness and safety of basal insulin dose adjustments according to DAR 2021 guidelines versus the Carbohydrate Fasting Test (CFT) and to analyze the impact on the quality of life of diabetic patients. This is a prospective, longitudinal, randomized, interventional study including 60 Type 2 diabetic patients, aged 18 to 70 years old, on insulin therapy for at least 6 months. All participants intend to fast during Ramadan and are at low to moderate risk according to the IDF-DAR score (≤6).
Eligible patients will be randomly assigned into two groups:
DAR Group: Insulin dose adjustments according to DAR 2021 recommendations. CFT Group: Personalized insulin adjustments based on a Carbohydrate Fasting Test conducted before Ramadan.
Protocol:
Initial assessment will be Clinical ( Weight, BMI, blood pressure) and biological (Fasting glucose, HbA1c, fructosamine and inflammatory markers ( Interleukin 6 and TNF alfa)).
During Ramadan, weekly glycemic monitoring will be conducted to track blood sugar levels. Any complications will be recorded, and insulin dose adjustments will be made remotely if necessary to ensure optimal glycemic control.
In the last week of Ramadan, a final clinical assessment will be performed, including measurements of weight, BMI, and blood pressure. A biological assessment will also be conducted to measure fructosamine levels and inflammatory markers ( Interleukin 6 and TNF alfa).
Two months after Ramadan, fasting glucose and HbA1c levels will be re-evaluated to assess long-term glycemic control. The study will also analyze the impact on glycemic regulation, anthropometric parameters, and overall quality of life using the SF-12 questionnaire.
In conclusion, this project aims to identify the most effective method for adjusting basal insulin doses during Ramadan, contributing to optimal Type 2 diabetes management and to assess the variations of inflammation markers before and after Ramadan fasting.

In primary adrenal insufficiency, there is an increased risk of hypoglycaemia and dehydration. These risks have been little studied particularly during intermittent fasting. The present study aimed to assess these risks in a prospective study of 30 subjects with primary adrenal insufficiency. Patients will undergo a clinical examination, blood sampling and continuous glucose monitoring for fourteen days (one week of fasting and one week of non-fasting).