The effects of Ramadan fasting on the number of renal colic visits to the emergency department

Objective: The effects of fluid and diet restriction strictly during the long hours in Ramadan on the number of colic visits and biochemical factors of stone formation are controversial in the literature. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of Ramadan fasting on the number of renal colic visits and laboratory results of patients with renal colic.

Methods: This was a prospective observational study, which was conducted with patients who were admitted to our emergency department with renal colic. The study period was divided into two parts: Before Ramadan and Ramadan. All laboratory results of patients and daily air temperature values were recorded. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant for all tests.

Results: Total 176 patients (n:89 in before Ramadan, n:87 in Ramadan) with renal colic were enrolled into the study. During Ramadan, 49 (73.1%) of 67 patients were admitted in the first half of the month and 20 patients (26.9%) were admitted in the second half of the month. Only urine density and white blood cell values in Ramadan and non-Ramadan period were significantly different (p=0.004 and p=0.001). Hemoglobin, general crystal, and triple phosphate crystal values in the first and the second half of Ramadan were significantly different (p=0.04, p=0.03, and p=0.03).

Conclusion: This study has shown that fasting in Ramadan does not change the number of renal colic visits. In addition, although fasting causes some changes in urinary metabolites, there is not enough evidence that these changes increase urinary calculus formation.