Effect of Christian Orthodox Fasting on Glycemic and Blood Pressure Control among type 2 Diabetic Patients in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2024
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2024-10-13
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Introduction:Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), frequently complicated by hypertension, poses significant challenges in low-resource settings. Structured fasting, a religious relevant practice in regions like Ethiopia, remains understudied for its metabolic benefits and risks.
Objective: To assess the effect of Christian orthodox fasting on glycemic and blood pressure control among type 2 diabetic patients in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2024. Methods: institutional based : observational longitudinal study was conducted from August 7 to August 22, 2024, at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Seventy patients who had been fasting during the Assumption fast and attended the outpatient clinic were selected using convenience sampling. Data were entered into SPSS version 26 for cleaning and analysis. A paired t-test assessed the significance of differences between the means of two sets of data.
Result: This study was conducted on 68 patients with type 2 diabetes, with a mean age of 56.5 years and 52.9% of participants being male. The study demonstrated that mean fasting significantly reduced fasting blood glucose by 19.56 mg/dL (p=0.001). Glycemic control within the target range of 80–130 mg/dL improved from 67.6% to 91.2% after fasting. Mean blood pressure also improved, with systolic blood pressure decreasing by 9.19 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 9.44 mmHg (p=0.001). Additionally, the proportion of patients exceeding hypertensive thresholds (SBP >130 mmHg, DBP >80 mmHg) declined by 19.2% and 38.3%, respectively, after fasting.
Conclusion and recommendation: Fasting significantly improved glycemic control and blood pressure management. It should be incorporated into diabetes management with personalized protocols and monitoring. Multicenter trials with diverse cohorts and long-term follow-up are needed to validate sustainability and refine protocols.
Keywords: Type 2 diabetes, fasting, glycemic control, blood pressure, Ethiopia
Description
Keywords
Type 2 diabetes fasting glycemic control blood pressure Ethiopia