Validation of the IDF-DAR risk assessment tool for Ramadan fasting in patients with diabetes in primary care.

Introduction: In patients with diabetes intending to fast, Ramadan, risk assessment, and stratification are essential for an individualized treatment plan. It seems that the new IDF-DAR risk stratification tool (International Diabetes Federation - Diabetes and Ramadan Alliance) has become the primary tool in this setting. This study aims to validate this tool in the Abu Dhabi population.

Method: The assessment was performed before Ramadan, followed by an evaluation of any significant outcome after Ramadan through tele-interview and an electronic medical records review. Patients were included if the attending physicians used the tool in the risk assessment of the patients within 6 weeks before Ramadan 1,444 (CE 2022) in the AHS healthcare center.

Results: The study included 435 patients. Half (51.7%) were in the low-risk category of the IDF-DAR risk stratification tool, 28.5% were in the moderate-risk category, and 19.8% were in the higher-risk category. Of the total patients, 81.3% fasted during the entire Ramadan period and 18.7% attempted to fast. A total of 14 (3.8%) patients were admitted at least once, and 56 (12.9%) had at least one significant event, including admission to the hospital. Using univariable logistic regression, the occurrence of adverse events was significantly associated with more days not fasted, B = -0.126, p < 0.001, OR = 0.88 (0.839-0.927). Using multivariable logistic regression, and after controlling for all variables studied, other risk factors identified with the occurrence of adverse events in this study were as follows: being in the low-risk category of the DAR risk assessment tool, B = -1.1, OR = 0.34 (0.157-0.744), p = 0.0072; being in the frail category compared to the reference category, the robust category, B = 1.54, OR = 4.6 (1.3-16.6), p = 0.018; and older age B = -0.034, OR = 0.966 (0.938-0.995). There was no significant difference between moderate- and high-risk categories in the occurrence of significant adverse events (SAEs). Similar determinants of fasting were identified during the entire Ramadan period using multivariable logistic regression.

Conclusion: According to the IDF-DAR risk assessment, patients with diabetes in the low-risk category had a better outcome than those in the moderate- or high-risk categories regarding SAEs. Another independent risk factor is if the patient is frail, according to the FRAIL scoring.