Fatigue, Sleepiness, Anxiety-Depression Score, Calories And BDNF Serum Level, Quality Of Life Alteration During Holy Ramadhan Month

Introduction: Ramadhan fasting increases mental and physical health. The study aims to evaluate the effect of Ramadhan fasting on fatigue, sleepiness, depression and anxiety mood, quality of life (QoL), and Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) serum level. Methods: Twenty participants are included in the fasting group (FG), and nineteen participants are included in the non-fasting group (NFG). Fatigue severity scales (FSS), fatigue VAS, Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), hospital depression and anxiety score (HADS), Beck depression inventory (BDI)-II, Short form 12 (SF-12), and BDNF in both groups were assessed at five-time points: one week before Ramadhan (T1), in the middle of Ramadhan (T2), the last days of Ramadhan (T3), one week after Ramadhan fasting (T4) two weeks after Ramadhan (T5). Results: We found no significant differences across the time points between FG and NFG groups in all variables (p>0.05). There is a significant correlation between fatigue VAS with BDNF serum levels (r > r table), SF-12 PCS (r>r table) with BDNF, SF-12 MCS (r>r table). There is no correlation between fatigue, depression and anxiety intensity, sleepiness, QoL, BDI-II, and BDNF serum levels with calories, BDI-II, and BDNF of fasting group in Ramadhan (r < r table). Conclusions: Ramadhan fasting has positive effects on fatigue and mood. Ramadhan fasting does not have a significant effect on sleepiness, physical exercise, and calories consumed. Fatigue VAS and SF-12 PCS can replace the serum BDNF.