EFFECT OF RAMADAN FASTING ON THE 24 HOURS INTRAGASTRIC PH IN THE HEALTHY-VOLUNTEERS

Objectives. - Lifestyle changes during Ramadan as the meals are taken exclusively in the evening, and nightly sleep is often delayed and sho rtened. The wake/sleep cycle is also modified. The aim of this study w as to evaluate the influence of Ramadan on gastric acidity in healthy volunteers. Methods. - Nine healthy volunteers had 24-hour measurement of the gastric pH; 4 periods were compared : one week prior to Ramada n, day 10 and day 24 during Ramadan, and one month after Ramadan. The pH profiles and the [H+] activity (area under the curve) were measured during 24 hours, the night phase (5PM-8AM) and diurnal phase (8AM-5PM ). Results. - The diurnal variations of the pH profile were more signi ficant; the median pH was 2.3 prior to Ramadan, 1 at day 10 and day 24 and 1.6 one month after Ramadan. The 24-hours [H+] activity increased by 45% at day 10 of Ramadan compared with its level prior to Ramadan. This increase was mostly diurnal (+ 122%) and also nightly (+ 25%). T he activity [H+] was steady during Ramadan. One month after Ramadan, t he 24-hours [H+] activity was 23% higher than the one noted before Ram adan. Conclusions. - This study shows that the conditions of feeding i mposed by Ramadan are associated with an increase of the gastric acidi ty mainly in diurnal phase. These results do not explain the origin of the healthy volunteer digestive symptoms encountered during Ramadan.