Medknow Publications on behalf of Association of Surgeons of India
Abstract
Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the relation between Ramadan
fasting and duodenal ulcer perforation, and to assess the risk factors
for peptic disease in fasting Muslims. Settings and Design:
Retrospective analysis was conducted for all patients, who underwent
surgery especially in Ramadan for duodenal ulcer perforation in the
emergency service between 1998 and 2003. Methods and Materials:
Demographics, concomitant diseases, and predisposing factors were
analyzed. Comparisons were done between patients, who were operated in
Ramadans within a 5-year period (5 months during the study period)
(Group 1) and on the remaining periods (55 months during the study
period) (Group 2). Statistical analysis: Chi-square and
Fischer′s exact chi-square tests, Student′s t-test and
Mann-Whitney U-test were used. Results: Two hundred and sixty
patients were included (50 in Group 1 and 210 in Group 2) in the study.
The number of surgeries per month was statistically high in Group 1
than in Group 2 (10 patients per month vs 3.8 patients per month, P
< 0.018). Predisposing factors play a major role and may be the
reason for the difference. Conclusion: This study suggests that the
incidence of duodenal ulcer perforation is relatively high in Ramadan
among the people, who are fasting and have predisposing factors
(especially history of dyspepsia). Therefore, we believe that people
with predisposing factors and dyspeptic symptoms must be well informed
and need special care
