Effectiveness of Education, Medication Adjustment and Telemonitoring in Reducing Diabetes Complications During Ramadan

Introduction Diabetes is a global emergency with detrimental clinical and financial consequences. Poorly managed diabetes leads to a myriad of serious complications, especially cardiovascular and infectious complications, with consequent increased cost and mortality rate. For Muslims in particular, the annual fasting month of Ramadan is one such period when diabetes control is essential. Adequate adjustments in diabetes management need to be made in line with the allowed meal times to avoid the risk of diabetes complications during Ramadan.

Objective Investigators aim to investigate the effectiveness of focused diabetes education and medication adjustment with telemonitoring to reduce diabetes complications during Ramadan fasting as well as to assess the cost-effectiveness of this intervention for Muslims with diabetes in Singapore.

Methodology In a parallel group randomized controlled trial, investigators aim to recruit 100 adults with diabetes who are able to fast at least 15 days in Ramadan. Participants will be randomized to the intervention group comprising of focused diabetes education, medication adjustment and telemonitoring, and control group receiving standard care. Participants will be followed up during Ramadan. The primary outcome is the incidence of hypoglycemia in Ramadan. The secondary outcomes are (i) incidence of other diabetes complications in Ramadan episodes including hyperglycemia, episodes of acute infections, attendances in clinic and emergency department and that of hospital admission, and (ii) cost-effectiveness of the intervention.

Clinical Significance The study enables investigators to evaluate focused pre-Ramadan diabetes education and medication adjustment with tele-monitoring as a means to reduce the markedly increased risk of diabetes complications for a large population during the fasting month, with potential for increased cost-effectiveness through reducing unscheduled attendances at clinic and hospital.


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

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Participants must meet all of the inclusion criteria to participate in this study:

1. Adults aged at least 21 years old,
2. Able to fast at least 15 days in Ramadan based on experience of fasting in previous year's Ramadan,
3. Known physician-diagnosed diabetes mellitus (DM) based on the following criteria before starting treatment

   a. Symptoms of polyuria, polydipsia and unexplained weight loss with i. fasting glucose ≥ 7.0mmol/l or ii. random plasma glucose ≥ 11.1 mmol/l or iii. 2-hour post 75g oral glucose challenge test plasma glucose ≥ 11.1 mmol/l b. Absence of symptoms of polyuria, polydipsia and unexplained weight loss with the following tests done twice showing the values i. fasting glucose ≥ 7.0mmol/l or ii. random plasma glucose ≥ 11.1 mmol/l or iii. 2-hour post 75g oral glucose challenge test plasma glucose ≥ 11.1 mmol/l
4. Performed laboratory tests as per standard care : serum glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level, blood Low Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol, blood triglyceride level, blood High Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol, blood Total Cholesterol and serum creatinine
5. Most recent HbA1c level was \>7.0% (\>53mmol/mol)
6. Ability to give informed consent,
7. Ability to perform weekly recordings in the diary,
8. Able to use and owns a mobile phone for recordings on mobile application
9. Should have had DM-related clinic visits or hospitalization in the past 10 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

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Meeting any of the exclusion criteria at baseline will exclude participants from participation:

1. Severe diabetes complications including end-stage renal failure, severe hypoglycemia and hyperglycemic crises within the last 1 month negating ability to fast,
2. Pregnancy.