EFFECT OF RAMADAN FASTING ON MOSLEM KIDNEY-TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS

This study was carried out to find out whether Ramadan fasting would a ffect the renal function in kidney transplant recipients with normal o r impaired graft function. Twenty-three transplant recipients, 17 with a normal function and 6 with an impaired but stable function with pla sma creatinine levels not exceeding 300 mmol/l, were included in this study. The mean posttransplant period was 2.0 (range 0.6-6.3) years. U rinary and serum biochemical parameters, ciclosporin A level, and hema tocrit were checked weekly, during Ramadan as well as 1 week before an d after. Statistical analysis showed no significant changes in all par ameters before, during, and after Ramadan. In conclusion, our findings indicate that fasting during the month of Ramadan does not seem to be associated with any significant adverse effects in kidney transplant recipients with normal or impaired graft function and suggest that it is safe for those patients to fast during Ramadan after 1 year of rena l transplantation.