The impact of Ramadan fasting period on total and differential white blood cells, haematological indices, inflammatory biomarker, respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function tests of healthy and asthmatic patients

Background: There is no conclusive evidence regarding the effect of fasting on different features in asthmatic patients. In the present study, the effect of Ramadan fasting in asthmatic patients and healthy control was studied. Methods: Haematological indices, inflammatory mediators, pulmonary function tests (PFD and respiratory symptoms were evaluated in 15 asthmatic patients compared to 14 healthy matched control group before and after the one-month fasting period in Ramadan. The change in each parameter from the beginning to the end of Ramadan was calculated and referred to as variation during Ramadan. Results: The values of MCH, MCHC in both groups and monocyte counts in asthmatic patients, were significantly increased but platelet count was reduced in asthmatic and controls respectively compared to pre-Ramadan fasting period (P < 0.05 to 0.001). Serum hs-CRP level in control and asthmatic groups was significantly reduced after Ramadan fasting month (P < 0.001 for both groups). PFT values after Ramadan fasting month in both groups were non-significantly higher compared to pre-fasting values except FVC. Respiratory symptoms in asthmatic patients were non-significantly but wheeze-o was significantly reduced after Ramadan fasting period in asthma group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in variations of different parameters during Ramadan fasting period between two groups, although reduction of hs-CRP in asthmatic group was non-significantly higher than control group. Conclusion: These results show that Ramadan fasting period has no negative impact on asthma and may have some positive effect on asthma severity with regard to reduction of hs-CRP concentration and chest wheeze. (C) 2016 SEICAP. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.