Guideline / position statementindependent cross-checkabstract only checked I-FAST-11 standard review
IDF-DAR Ramadan guidelines 2021
Diabetes and Ramadan: Practical guidelines 2021.
Overview
Hassanein M et al.. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2022 · PMID 35016991 · DOI 10.1016/j.diabres.2021.109185
People with diabetes who fast need individual risk assessment and medical guidance.
Does the study support the specific claim? No · Methodological quality: moderate
Plain-language summary
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Management of diabetes during Ramadan fasting
- How was the study done?
Practical guideline (IDF and DaR International Alliance)
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
not applicable; People with diabetes who fast
- What was actually found?
Guidance on risk stratification.
- How large was the observed effect?
not applicable
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
Fast only with a medical plan.
- What are the study's limitations?
Abstract only read
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
Applicable to fasting Muslims in Europe.
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
Specific thresholds (not in abstract).
Scientific in-depth review
1. Full reference
- Authors
- Hassanein M et al.
- Journal
- Diabetes Res Clin Pract
- Year
- 2022
- Identifier
- PMID 35016991 DOI 10.1016/j.diabres.2021.109185
- Verification
- verified – PubMed efetch 2026-10-25 (this agent)
- Retracted
- no
- Corrections
- none
- Extent checked
- abstract only
- Conflicts of interest and funding
not stated in abstract
2. Research question
Management of diabetes during Ramadan fasting
3. Study design and population
- Study design
- Guideline / position statement – Practical guideline (IDF and DaR International Alliance)
- Population
People with diabetes who fast
- Country
International (Middle East focus)
- Period
2021 update
- Sample size
not applicable
- Inclusion and exclusion criteria
As described in the abstract; details not available in abstract.
4. Methods and endpoints
- Exposure / intervention
Ramadan fasting
- Comparator
not applicable
- Endpoints
not applicable
- Statistical methods
Expert guidance
5. Actual results
- Results
Abstract: update includes fasting with type 1 diabetes, elderly, pregnancy, mental wellbeing, complications; aims to provide real-world recommendations.
- Absolute risks
not reported
- Authors' conclusion
People with diabetes who fast need appropriate guidance and care.
6. Strengths
- Region-specific expertise
7. Weaknesses
- Abstract only read
8. Risk of bias
- Orienting tool
- none applicable
- Type of assessment
- simplified assessment (abstract only)
- Full formal assessment
- no
- Overall risk of bias
- low
- Rationale
Guideline.
9. Assessment of the statistical interpretation
not applicable
10. Relevance to the specific claim
Contradicts C-FAST-03 and C-FAST-10 safety implications.
11. Independent contrary findings
12. Transferability to Germany and Europe
Applicable to fasting Muslims in Europe.
13. Overall methodological judgement
Region-relevant guidance.
| Multidimensional assessment | |
|---|---|
| Authenticity of the source | verified |
| Methodological quality | moderate |
| Risk of bias | low |
| Precision of results | not applicable |
| Directness | direct |
| Reproducibility | replicated |
| Consistency with the overall evidence | consistent |
| Regional transferability | high |
| Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive) | not applicable |
14. Open questions
None beyond those stated.
15. Linked fact checks
- Rising blood glucose and acetone (ketones) during fasting are evidence that the liver is working properly, not a danger; high glucose plus acetone is not insulin deficiency. – Studies contradicting or limiting the claim
- Do not drink much water because it distends the abdomen and raises abdominal pressure; even when thirsty during long fasting hours just wet the lips; fasting three days in a row each week without food and drink is not harsh. – Studies contradicting or limiting the claim