DOI: 10.36347/sjmcr.2020.v08i01.021

Pages: 67-70

Introduction: The impact of fasting on cognitive performance in type 2 diabetics has long been a subject of controversy. We will focus in this work on its influence on neurocognitive performance in this population using two tests. Patients and method: Type 2 diabetic patients who voluntarily agreed to participate in the study, during the month of Ramadan 1437 (July 2017). Two tests were used: Cancellation Task and Digit Spam. The parameters were evaluated and compared before, during and after the month of Ramadan. Results: The study involved 38 type 2 diabetic patients, 62% were female, with an average age of 52.9 years. The average duration of diabetes progression was 4.62 years. The average glycated hemoglobin before Ramadan was 7.2%. All the patients maintained the fast throughout the month of Ramadan. Digit Span test average was 5.01 before Ramadan, 5.76 during Ramadan and 4.97 after Ramadan. Regarding Cancellation Task test, the comparison highlighted a significant difference in response time and test scores between the measurements during Ramadan and that after Ramadan. Discussion: The data comfort that fasting would affect spatial recognition functions in type 2 diabetics. However, the assessment of short-term memory found no differences between the three periods. Regular food intake, in particular, carbohydrate intake, which is essential for proper neuronal functioning, would be involved in these data changes. These two tests are to be adapted on a larger scale, constituting a real alternative for exploring neurocognitive capacities, in particular in diabetics.