Incidence of hypoglycemia and its risk factors among diabetics during Ramadan in Abha city, Aseer Region, KSA

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This study aims to explore the incidence of hypoglycemia and its risk factors among diabetic patients attending primary health care center during Ramadan Abha city, Aseer region, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among adult diabetic patients attending Primary health care centers (PHCCs) in Abha city, southwest of KSA. A questionnaire in Arabic language was used. It consisted of five parts that covered patients demographic and DM relevant profile, hypoglycemia attacks during Ramadan, compliance with drug, diet, exercise and glucose monitoring. Four PHCCs in Abha city were selected randomly to conduct this study. All diabetic patients who attended the selected PHCCs during the month of Shawwal 1439 (corresponding to June-July 2018) were interviewed by the investigators. Data were coded, entered and analyzed using SPSS version 22. Appropriate statistical tests were used accordingly and P value was considered as significant if it was less than 5%. RESULTS: The total patients participated in this study was 378. The mean age was 45 years, males represents 51%, mean duration of DM was 12 years, type-1DM constitutes about one third. Most of type-1 DM patients used act rapid and long acting insulin (65%), while in type-2 DM, more than one third (38%) used OHA, 8% were on insulin alone. More than half of patients (52%) reported at least one attack of hypoglycemia during Ramadan, (29%) out of them had more than four attacks. About two third of attacks (67%) occurred in the morning and evening while less than one fourth have hypoglycemia at night (17%), (2%) visited ER or PHC and 1% were admitted to hospital for further management. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that the incidence of hypoglycemia among diabetics was high. Many Risk factors were identified; young age, type-1 DM, long duration of DM, insulin use. More attacks occurred during Ramadan day period and led to breaking the fasting among all affected patients. Most of patients were not given instructions regarding self-care immediately before or during Ramadan. Structured health education program for diabetics attending PHCC should be constructed and implemented before beginning of Ramadan in order to minimize the incidence of acute complications particularly hypoglycemia.