Ramadan intermittent fasting for patients with gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary diseases: practical guidance for health-care professionals

Ramadan intermittent fasting can pose challenges and risks for some groups of patients. Based on a narrative literature review and our clinical expertise, we provide practical guidance for clinicians managing patients with gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary conditions who wish to fast during Ramadan. Following the established International Diabetes Federation and Diabetes and Ramadan International Alliance risk stratification framework, we categorised patients’ risk as low or moderate, high, or very high. We advise all patients at very high risk and most patients at high risk to not observe fasting due to potential harm. For others, we offer nuanced recommendations on medication rescheduling, lifestyle changes, and tailored fasting advice to minimise adverse effects. Shared decision making that respects patients’ religious motivations is essential, with risks and benefits carefully weighed on an individual basis.

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Clinical Resources Categories
BSG Nurses Association
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Practice recommendations for midwives caring for women and birthing people living with inflammatory bowel disease
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The following practice recommendations were developed to standardise the midwifery care given to women and birthing people living with IBD during pregnancy.

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Colorectal
BSG/ACPGBI guidance on the management of colorectal polyps in patients with limited life expectancy
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This BSG and ACPGBI guidance aims to help clinicians and patients consider these risks to aid decision-making for polypectomy versus a conservative approach.