To explore the association of Ramadan fasting with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in people with diabetes

Aim: To explore the association of Ramadan fasting with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in people with diabetes.

Methods: This observational study was conducted at Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology between May-July 2017. Informed consent was taken from each study participant. Demographic and baseline data was recorded. DASS-21 scale was used to assess symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress pre and post Ramadan.

Results: A total of one hundred and fifty people with diabetes participated in this study. 100 people were in fasting group and 50 were in non-fasting group. In fasting group pre-Ramadan depression, anxiety and stress symptoms were present in 45%, 45%,49% of people which improved to 23%, 26%, 35% post Ramadan (p-value <0.0001, <0.0001, 0.001) respectively. In non-fasting group pre-Ramadan depression and anxiety symptoms were present in 34%, and 50% of people, which improved to 30% and 40% post Ramadan (p-value 0.625, 0.227) respectively, while no improvement was observed in stress symptoms.

Conclusion: There is significant improvement in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in people with diabetes post-Ramadan fasting.