Does Ramadan Fasting Affect Hydration Status and Kidney Function in CKD Patients?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study is the first of its kind to examine the impact of the Ramadan fasting on hydration status, plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, and kidney function in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patient.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study included 2 groups of patients with CKD grades 2-4: thirty-one Muslim patients who fasted the month of Ramadan (fasting group) and 26 Muslim patients who did not fast (control group). One week before the Ramadan fast, in the last week of the month of Ramadan (4 weeks), and 4 weeks after the end of the Ramadan month (8 weeks), hydration status and blood analysis of urea, creatinine and BNP levels were measured.

RESULTS

Among fasting patients, serum urea levels increased significantly (p = 0.024) during the last week of fasting and returned to basal levels at 4 weeks after the end of the Ramadan month, the estimated glomerular filtration rate did not change significantly at the end of fasting (p = 0.411), the hydration status indices and plasma BNP levels were significantly decreased after fasting (p ≤ 0.021) but returned to basal values 4 weeks thereafter.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with CKD grades 2-4 can fast throughout the month of Ramadan with no significant deterioration of renal functions and with a reasonable degree of safety.