Doctors can help their Muslim patients with CKD who wish to fast during Ramadan by carrying out a medical evaluation at least four weeks before the holy month, UK nephrologists advise.

A medical evaluation before Ramadan could determine any medication changes needed and develop plans to monitor renal function and electrolytes while fasting, UK doctors advise.

A clinical evaluation, ideally a month before the start of Ramadan, is necessary to assess whether patients with CKD can safely abstain from food and drink from dawn to dusk.

This is particularly the case in in temperate regions where Ramadan spans summer months and the fasting period can be up 20 hours, the authors noted.