The investigation of metabolic values and self-care behaviors of type 2 diabetic individuals with and without fasting

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the metabolic values and self-care behaviors of type 2 diabetic individuals with and without fasting. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. The study was conducted in Diabetes Training Center and Endocrine-Metabolism Service of an university hospital in Turkey between May 1 and June 30, 2017 (including the month of Ramadan). According to the criteria for inclusion in the research sample of the study, the participants would be volunteering diabetes patients aged 18 or older. Results: It was determined that 43.2% of individuals with diabetes continued fasting even after the diagnosis of diabetes and the rate of those applying to hospital due to fasting was 4.7%. It was found that fasting individuals with Type 2 diabetes, patients who experienced less hypoglycemia (58.4%) and more followed the recommended diet (51.1%) and the difference was statistically significant. It was determined that 62.2% of fasting individuals with Type 2 diabetes had 7% or below of HbA1c level and the difference between the two groups was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: Diabetes educators should raise the awareness of their patients, who consider fasting, about potential risks of fasting during trainings. For this purpose, diabetes educators should evaluate every patient, support them in managing their diabetes and provide consultancy to them. It is recommended to conduct new longitudinal (prefasting, during fasting, post-fasting) studies with control groups among patients with Type 2 Diabetes in control groups.