The objective the study is to determine the safety of fasting in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. This is a observational prospective study. A convenient sampling method is used to select the study population. All patients with well-controlled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus treated with Insulin, sulfonylureas, lifestyle modification, metformin, or a thiazolidinedione, who are otherwise healthy were included. The study included a total 0f 30 subjects, of which 14(46.7%) were male and 16(53.3%) were female. 25(83.3%) had no hypoglycemia, 4(13.3%) had 1 episode of hypoglycemia and 1(3.3%) had 2 episodes of hypoglycemia. 24(80.0%) never needed to break a fast, 5(16.7%) had 1 event of breaking the fast and 1(3.3%) had 2 events of breaking the fast. There was 1 event of missing the fast in 2(6.7%) patients. 8 (26.7%) patients were on insulin alone, 8(26.7%) were on insulin and oral hypoglycemics combination, 4(13.4%) were on single oral hypoglycemics , 7(23.3%) were on combination oral hypoglycemic and 3(10%) were on lifestyle modification. Of 8 patients on insulin therapy, only 1 had 1 event of hyperglycemia, 1 had 2 events of hyperglycemia, 2 had 3 events of hyperglycemia and 1 had 4 events of hyperglycemia. Of 4 patients on single oral hypoglycemia, no one had any event of hyperglycemia. Of 8 patients on insulin and oral hypoglycemics combination, only 2 had 1 episode of hyperglycemia and 1 had 3 episodes of hyperglycemia. Only 1 drug related hypoglycemia in sulfonylurea group. The drug was stopped and patient switched over to metformin next day. Of 4 patients on single oral hypoglycemia, no one had any event of hyperglycemia. Of 7 patients on oral hypoglycemics combination 2 had 1 and 1 had 3 episodes of hyperglycemia. 3 patients on lifestyle modification and none had any hyperglycemia. P-Value of chi square test applied was 0.820 which is insignificant showing no relation between drug regimens and hypoglycemias. Fasting in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients is usually safe if proper cautions are observed.
Key words: Fasting, Diabetes Mellitis, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia.
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