Background and aims: Pilgrims with pre-existing Chronic Diseases are at high risk of physical stress that can lead to unexpected health outcomes, including multiple visits to the hospital, organ failure, or even death. In addition, the risk of mortality related to Chronic Diseases increases during mass gatherings due to these same reasons. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the Prevalence of Chronic Diseases and clinical symptoms among pilgrims during Hajj 2024 in Saudi Arabia. Methods: During the 2024 Hajj rituals, cross-sectional questionnaires were administered to pilgrims at the Jeddah International Airport. The questionnaire contained questions on sociodemographic information, the presence of Chronic Diseases, types of Chronic Diseases, and clinical symptoms. Results: A total of 1920 pilgrims were included in the study, with a mean age of 52.03 ± 13.43 and a median of 53 years. Among those, 49.4% were males. The prevalence of Chronic Diseases (CDs) was 36.3% (n = 697). Among those, 16% (n = 308) of them reported hypertension, followed by diabetes 11.6% (n = 222), asthma (4%, n = 76), and cardiovascular diseases (3.4% n = 65). The most common symptoms associated with Chronic Diseases were cough (36.5%, n = 700), followed by fever (21.8%, n = 419), and sore throat (21.2%, n = 407). The presence of diabetes was significantly associated with gender (p = 0.019), while hypertension was more common among male pilgrims (n = 829) compared to female pilgrims (n = 783) (p = 001). Furthermore, the presence of coughing was significantly associated with the age and educational level of the pilgrims (p = 0.001). On the other hand, headaches were more common among females compared to male pilgrims (p = 0.001). Conclusion: A considerable number of pilgrims suffer from Chronic Diseases, with hypertension being most common. Further interventions, such as education and management before Hajj, are recommended.

Background: The Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia poses significant healthcare challenges due to overcrowding and high demand. Stroke, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, necessitates timely management, with telemedicine providing crucial remote access to specialized care. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the demographic and clinical characteristics of pilgrims who experienced strokes and utilized telemedicine during the Hajj seasons of 2023 and 2024, focusing on identifying changes in patient profiles and treatment patterns over time. Methods and materials: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from SEHA Virtual Hospital (SVH) during the Hajj seasons of 2023 and 2024. The study included 459 adult stroke patients (207 in 2023 and 252 in 2024) who completed telemedicine consultations. Demographic and clinical data, including stroke types and treatment details, were retrospectively analyzed. Statistical comparisons were performed using chi-square and Mann–Whitney U tests, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean age of patients was 64.13 years in 2023 and 62.43 years in 2024. Non-Saudi patients constituted 69% in 2023, decreasing to 62% in 2024, while Saudi patients increased from 31 to 38%. Male patients rose from 57% in 2023 to 62% in 2024. Diagnoses showed significant variation: ischemic strokes increased from 46% in 2023 to 73% in 2024, while hemorrhagic strokes and other miscellaneous conditions decreased, and TIAs showed a slight increase. TPA administration remained stable at 23% in both years, and the median time to TPA administration showed no significant difference. Conclusion: The consistent application of a centralized telestroke service during the Hajj demonstrates that telemedicine is a viable and scalable strategy for delivering specialized stroke care in mass gathering settings. This model successfully managed a large, diverse patient cohort and maintained stable acute treatment rates, underscoring its potential to enhance health system resilience and equity during the most logistically challenging events.

Background. The simultaneous measurement of serum amylase and lipase levels in the diagnosis of pancreatitis was deemed unnecessary in several studies. We aim at evaluating the prevalence of the simultaneous co-ordering of serum amylase and lipase. Methods. This retrospective chart review was conducted at King Saud University Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between January 2021 and January 2022. We examined requests for serum amylase or serum lipase levels that had been sought for suspected pancreatitis within the electronic health system (EHS). Results. A total of 9,617 requests for serum amylase and serum lipase levels for 5,536 patients were made in a year; 6,873 (71.5) were made for serum lipase alone; 1,672 (17.4) were made for co-ordered serum lipase and amylase; 322 (3.3) were made for amylase alone; and 750 (7.8) were made for repeated amylase testing. Four hundred and thirteen tests (4.3) yielded a diagnosis of pancreatitis. The estimated cost reduction when serum amylase was removed if serum lipase was co-ordered was 108,680 SAR (approximately US$28,960). Conclusion. Serum amylase and lipase were co-ordered for about 17.4 of pancreatitis diagnostic tests, all of which were unnecessary. Eliminating serum amylase testing for any patient who receives a test of their lipase levels would exert a significant impact on institutional costs and savings.

Objective: To describe the demographic profiles, clinical characteristics, and meteorological context of heat-related illnesses among Hajj pilgrims in 2023. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using data from 1,129 pilgrims diagnosed with HRIs across healthcare facilities in Mecca, Mina, and Arafat. Demographic and clinical data were extracted from the Hajj Health Information System, while temperature, humidity, wind speed, and rainfall records were obtained from the National Center for Meteorology. Results: Heat exhaustion (48.2%) and heatstroke (37.4%) were the most common diagnoses, with 24.9% of the cases requiring hospitalization. Males represented 55.4% of cases and accounted for 51.2% of hospitalizations. Pilgrims aged 55–74 years comprised 64.2% of severe cases, while Egyptians were disproportionately affected (32.2% of cases). Meteorological data revealed high temperatures reaching 44°C during the Day of Arafah, accompanied by low humidity (14%) and moderate wind speeds of approximately 7 km/h, with no rainfall (0 mm). Conclusion: The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions, including heat-adaptive rituals, real-time environmental monitoring, and age-specific cooling strategies, to protect pilgrims as climate change intensifies. This study provides a benchmark for future research on mass gatherings in warming environments.

Background: The Hajj pilgrimage, a significant religious event, presents unique health challenges due to the large number of participants and the physical demands of the pilgrimage. Despite efforts by Saudi health authorities to provide comprehensive health services, the effectiveness of these interventions relies heavily on pilgrims’ knowledge of available services and emergency measures. Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the level of knowledge of health services among Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia during the 1445 H (2024 G) season and its associated demographic and health-related factors. Methods and Materials: This cross-sectional study was conducted during the 1445 H (2024 G) Hajj season with 1215 pilgrims, 51.7% male. Participants were randomly selected from selected pilgrimage accommodations or passing through the airport in Jeddah. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire covering demographics, health characteristics, and knowledge of health services. Results: The study found that 62.1% of participants correctly believed that health services during Hajj were free of charge. Furthermore, 44.4% were aware of the emergency health number, with 31.5% exhibiting good knowledge. Bivariate analysis showed that younger participants had better knowledge (p < 0.001), and males were more likely than females to demonstrate partial or good knowledge (p = 0.011). Participants with university education were significantly more likely to have good knowledge, with 29.6% demonstrating good knowledge compared to 7.4% of illiterate participants (p < 0.001). Geographic region was also a factor, with 48.9% of Middle Eastern participants exhibiting good knowledge, compared to 27.1% of African and 23.6% of Asian participants (p < 0.001). However, multivariable logistic regression, revealed that only younger age (OR = 0.98, p = 0.005), university education (OR = 1.96, p = 0.024), and being from the Middle East (OR = 1.61, p = 0.009) were significant predictors of good knowledge of health services. Conclusions: The study identified significant gaps in pilgrims’ knowledge of health services during Hajj, with younger age, higher education, and Middle Eastern geographic region identified as independent predictors of better knowledge. These findings suggest the need for targeted health education initiatives, particularly for older pilgrims, those with lower educational attainment, and individuals from regions with lower awareness levels, to improve knowledge and potentially enhance health outcomes during Hajj.

Background: Foot injuries are common among Umrah pilgrims due to prolonged walking, overcrowded conditions, and inadequate preventive measures, such as inappropriate footwear or walking barefoot. Despite their potential impact on mobility and overall pilgrimage experience, these conditions remain underreported and insufficiently addressed in public health strategies. Objectives: This study aims to assess the prevalence and types of foot problems among Umrah pilgrims, examine their associations with demographic characteristics and comorbidities, analyze the utilization of medical attention for foot pain, and assess the use of preventive measures to reduce foot-related health risks during the pilgrimage. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted throughout the 2024 G (1445 H) Umrah season at the Grand Mosque, Makkah. The study recruited 1138 Umrah pilgrims aged 18 and older who performed the pilgrimage. A structured questionnaire was administered to collect data on demographic characteristics, chronic diseases, foot conditions, medical-attention-seeking behavior, and preventive practices. Pilgrims with pre-existing foot conditions were excluded from participation. Results: Foot diseases were reported by 46% of participants. The most common foot injuries included sprains/strains (18.7%) and muscle pain/cramps (4.9%), with the leg and forefoot being the most affected areas. Significant associations were observed between foot diseases and lower education levels (p = 0.03), chronic liver disease (p = 0.04), and cardiovascular disease (p = 0.04). Despite the high prevalence of foot-related conditions, only 9.6% sought medical attention, and 14.9% reported using preventive measures. Conclusions: The study highlights a substantial burden of foot problems among Umrah pilgrims, with limited utilization of healthcare services and preventive strategies. Targeted interventions, including educational campaigns and improved screening for high-risk individuals, are essential for enhancing foot health and ensuring a safer pilgrimage experience.