Effects of Ramadan fasting on peptic ulcer disease as diagnosed by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy

Background and study aimsThe diagnostic methods such as upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE) have played an important role in the evaluation of peptic ulcer (PU). Every year, millions of Muslims fast in Ramadan month. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fasting on PU via UGE.Patients and methodsA total of 321 patients in the period from 2009 to 2011, who underwent UGE as a diagnostic work-up mainly for epigastric pain, were analysed. Patients were divided into three groups: Patients who have been evaluated by UGE, in the month just before Ramadan (group I, n = 69), in Ramadan month (group II, n = 132) and in the month just after Ramadan (group III, n = 120).Continuous data were expressed as the mean ± SD, and were compared with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test amongst groups. Categorical data were given as percentages and were compared with the chi-squared test.ResultsEpigastric pain was the most common indication for referral in each group. Interestingly, the indication ‘bleeding’ was found to be the least in group II, but was far from statistical significance. The highest prevalence of duodenal ulcers and duodenitis was found in group II; the differences to the other groups were statistically significant.ConclusionDuodenal ulcers and duodenitis were found more during Ramadan month. We recommend that, the patients with epigastric pain may fast by taking their medications.