Changes in portal blood flow and liver functions in cirrhotics during Ramadan fasting in the summer; a pilot study

Assessment of short term changes in portal blood flow and long term changes in liver functions in cirrhotic patients who chose to fast during the month of Ramadan in summer. During Ramadan, healthy Muslims obligated to fast from predawn to sunset. Forty cirrhotic patients intended to fast during the month of Ramadan in the year 2014, were examined by Congestion index (CI) as a non-invasive indicator of short term changes in the portal blood flow, while liver function tests were determined as an indicator of long term changes in liver functions. A total of 38 patients completed the whole month fasting and two patients discontinued fasting due to variceal bleeding. The complicated patients were 7. CI showed a statistically significant increase from fasting to postprandial status (P