RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Efficacy and Safety of Use of the Fasting Algorithm for Singaporeans With Type 2 Diabetes (FAST) During Ramadan: A Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial JF The Annals of Family Medicine JO Ann Fam Med FD American Academy of Family Physicians SP 139 OP 147 DO 10.1370/afm.2500 VO 18 IS 2 A1 Lum, Zheng Kang A1 Khoo, Zi Rui A1 Toh, Wei Yann See A1 Kamaldeen, Shaikh Abdul Kader A1 Shakoor, Abdul A1 Tsou, Keith Yu Kei A1 Chew, Daniel Ek Kwang A1 Dalan, Rinkoo A1 Kwek, Sing Cheer A1 Othman, Noorani A1 Lian, Joyce Xia A1 Bte Sunari, Raden Nurheryany A1 Lee, Joyce Yu-Chia YR 2020 UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/18/2/139.abstract AB PURPOSE We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of use of the Fasting Algorithm for Singaporeans with Type 2 Diabetes (FAST) during Ramadan.METHODS We performed a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial. The inclusion criteria were age ≥21 years, baseline glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level ≤9.5%, and intention to fast for ≥10 days during Ramadan. Exclusion criteria included baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate <30 mL/min, diabetes-related hospitalization, and short-term corticosteroid therapy. Participants were randomized to intervention (use of FAST) or control (usual care without FAST) groups. Efficacy outcomes were HbA1c level and fasting blood glucose and postprandial glucose changes, and the safety outcome was incidence of major or minor hypoglycemia during the Ramadan period. Glycemic variability and diabetes distress were also investigated. Linear mixed models were constructed to assess changes.RESULTS A total of 97 participants were randomized (intervention: n = 46, control: n = 51). The HbA1c improvement during Ramadan was 4 times greater in the intervention group (−0.4%) than in the control group (−0.1%) (P = .049). The mean fasting blood glucose level decreased in the intervention group (−3.6 mg/dL) and increased in the control group (+20.9 mg/dL) (P = .034). The mean postprandial glucose level showed greater improvement in the intervention group (−16.4 mg/dL) compared to the control group (−2.3 mg/dL). There were more minor hypoglycemic events based on self-monitered blood glucose readings in the control group (intervention: 4, control: 6; P = .744). Glycemic variability was not significantly different between the 2 groups (P = .284). No between-group differences in diabetes distress were observed (P = .479).CONCLUSIONS Our findings emphasize the importance of efficacious, safe, and culturally tailored epistemic tools for diabetes management.