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Evaluation of Self-Perceived Changes in Gastrointestinal Symptoms During Ramadan Fasting Publisher Pubmed



Keshteli AH1, 2 ; Sadeghpour S3 ; Feizi A1, 4 ; Boyce P5 ; Adibi P1
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Integrative Functional Gastroenterology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
  3. 3. Medical Students Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Hezar Jarib Street, Isfahan, 81749-73461, Iran
  4. 4. Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
  5. 5. Discipline of Psychiatry, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

Source: Journal of Religion and Health Published:2017


Abstract

Little is known regarding the effects of Ramadan fasting on common gastrointestinal symptoms. The aim of this study was to assess the alterations of these symptoms in a healthy Iranian adult population during Ramadan. In a cross-sectional study, self-administered questionnaires were used to evaluate the alterations in seven groups of gastrointestinal symptoms (esophageal symptoms, dyspeptic symptoms, bloating and abdominal distension, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea) after Ramadan. A total of 900 individuals participated in the study. Almost 87 % of participants reported to fast for at least 2 weeks during Ramadan. After adjusting for potential confounders, we found no relationship between alteration in frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms and Ramadan fasting, except for constipation which increased significantly after Ramadan fasting (odds ratio 1.99, 95 % confidence interval 1.05–3.80, P < 0.05). In addition, those who fasted for at least 2 weeks reported to experience severe or very severe constipation-related symptoms three times more in comparison with those who fasted for less than 2 weeks (P < 0.05). There was no relationship between severity of other gastrointestinal symptoms and Ramadan fasting. We found that Ramadan fasting does not increase frequency and severity of common gastrointestinal symptoms in the general population except for constipation that may be experienced more frequently and severely among those who fast for 2 weeks or more. © 2015, Springer Science+Business Media New York.
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