Comparing the Clinical Outcomes in Epilepsy Patients: Ramadan Month Versus Non-Ramadan Months

Authors

Bader AlRowaished  1 , Amal Almohawes  2 , Mugbil AlJaman  3 , Algayli Eltayeb  4 , Abdullah Memish  5
Department of Neuroscience, King Fahad Military Medical Complex, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. 1 , Department of Neuroscience, King Fahad Military Medical Complex, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. 2 , Department of Neuroscience, King Fahad Military Medical Complex, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. 3 , Department of Neuroscience, King Fahad Military Medical Complex, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. 4 , Department of Neuroscience, King Fahad Military Medical Complex, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. 5
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Published: 2025-07-01
DOI: 10.5281/
Keywords:
Epilepsy Ramadan

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Abstract

Background: Epilepsy, a prevalent neurological disorder affecting over 50 million individuals globally, presents unique management challenges during Ramadan a period marked by fasting, altered sleep patterns, and medication schedule disruptions. Despite theoretical risks, limited data exist on the actual impact of Ramadan fasting on seizure control, particularly in predominantly Muslim populations. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting on seizure frequency in patients with epilepsy, while also examining changes in medication effectiveness and sleep duration. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among adults with epilepsy residing in Saudi Arabia who fasted during Ramadan. A culturally adapted questionnaire assessed demographic and clinical variables, seizure frequency before and during Ramadan, medication side effects, and sleep patterns. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlations, and logistic regression, were performed using R software (version 4.3), with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Out of 280 respondents, 53.2% reported changes in seizure frequency or severity during Ramadan, while 46.8% did not. Notably, no statistically significant association was found between Ramadan fasting and an overall increase in seizure frequency. Changes in medication effectiveness and sleep duration were reported but did not significantly correlate with increased seizure activity. The majority of patients-maintained seizure control, particularly those on longer half-life antiepileptic drugs and those receiving individualized medical guidance. Conclusion: Fasting during Ramadan does not appear to significantly exacerbate seizure frequency in most individuals with epilepsy, provided that appropriate medical supervision and individualized treatment adjustments are in place. These findings support a culturally sensitive, patient-centered approach to epilepsy care during religious observances and underscore the importance of proactive planning, medication adherence, and sleep hygiene. Future longitudinal studies are needed to validate these findings and guide evidence-based clinical recommendations.

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Comparing the Clinical Outcomes in Epilepsy Patients: Ramadan Month Versus Non-Ramadan Months. (2025). Annals of Medicine and Medical Sciences, 539-545. https://doi.org/10.5281/
Original Article

Copyright (c) 2025 Bader AlRowaished, Amal Almohawes, Mugbil AlJaman, Algayli Eltayeb, Abdullah Memish

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Creative Commons License All articles published in Annals of Medicine and Medical Sciences are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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