The effect of Ramadan fasting on clinical and laboratory parameters in chronic kidney disease patients underwent hemodialysis

Abstract

Background: Despite getting relief from not fasting during Ramadan, some hemodialysis patients will ask questions about how fasting affects their health and whether they are allowed to fast. This study aims to determine the relationship between Ramadan fasting on clinical and laboratory parameters in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: The cohort design study was carried out from April to May 2020 at the Hemodialysis Unit of Roemani Muhammadiyah Hospital Semarang. The dependent variables included pre-dialysis weight, Inter Dialytic Weight Gain (IDWG), Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP), hemoglobin level (Hb). Result: Among 33 respondents, it was found that 11 (33.3 %) respondents were fasting during Ramadan, and 22 (66.7 %) respondents were not fasting. The respondents consisted of 17 males (51.5 %) and 16 females (48.5 %). The mean age was 55.4 ± 10.5 years. The duration of hemodialysis was 24 ± 20.1 months. The independent t-test showed a significant relationship between Ramadan fasting and pre-dialysis weight (p=0.003). As for the variables IDWG, SBP, DBP, and Hb, there was an insignificant relationship (p>0.05). Conclusion: Ramadan fasting does not relate to IDWG, SBP, DBP, and Hb level parameters. These results indicate that the condition of hemodialysis patients who are fasting is the same as those who are not fasting, so it is safe if hemodialysis patients wish to fast in Ramadan.