Abstract
Background: Studies of the effects of RIF on spirometry are few, have some methodological limits and present contradictory conclusions.
Aim: To assess whether the RIF affected normal lung function values.
Methods: 29 non-smoking healthy males (mean age of 27±6 yrs) that used to fast during Ramadan for at least the 5 past years volunteered for participation. The study was conducted during the summer 2014 (Ramadan from 29th of June to 28th of July). Three periods [before-Ramadan (BR: 20-23 June), mid-Ramadan (MR:11-16 July) and post-Ramadan (PR:10-14 August)] were selected for spirometrymeasures that were performed between 4:30 and 6:30 pm. On all 3 occasions the following data were measured: age (yrs), height (cm), weight (kg), forced-vital-capacity (FVC, L), first-second-expiratory-volume (FEV1, L), FEV1/FVC, peak-expiratory-flow, maximal-mid-expiratory-flow, peak-expiratory-flow rate at the x% of FVC to be exhaled. BR and PR readings (median (1st-3rd quartiles)) were compared with the MR readings. Results were analysed by repeated measures analysis of variance.
Results: There was a significant difference in weight (kg) measured during MR compared to BR and PR [respectively, 80.0 (72.3-85.4); 79.8 (74.9-89.4) and 80.7 (73.8-83.8)]. Among all spirometric parameters, only FEV1 and FVC were significantly decreased during MR when compared to BR and PR [respectively, 4.43 (4.10-4.68); 4.52 (4.11-4.76) and 4.46 (4.05-4.71) for FEV1 and 5.18 (4.72-5.61); 5.33 (4.77-5.93) and 5.32 (4.82-5.88) for FVC].
Conclusion: RIF affected FEV1 and FVC of healthy male adults. In order to avoid data misinterpretation, one recommendation is to take into consideration the potential FEV1 and FVC decreases during Ramadan.
- Copyright ©ERS 2015