Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine the most common health conditions among pilgrims visiting Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia, seeking medical care during the Hajj and Umrah seasons in 2024, and to examine their prevalence, severity, and associated variables.
Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Medical City in Al-Madinah. Medical records were reviewed on 386 pilgrims who sought medical care. Demographic and pre-existing conditions, chief complaints, vital signs, discharge diagnoses, and outcomes data were analyzed.
Results: Among 386 patients (mean age 47.69 ± 20.12 years), 77.7% were male, and 58% were above 40 years of age. The prevalence of pre-existing conditions was 43.5%, primarily diabetes mellitus (23.8%) and high blood pressure (23.6%). The chief complaints were pain (34.7%), nausea/vomiting (13.7%), and trauma (12.2%). Gastrointestinal diseases were the most frequently reported (16.3%), followed by injury/external causes (13.2%), pulmonary diseases (10.4%), and infectious diseases (9.8%). There were significantly higher rates of cardiovascular (p-value=0.02), pulmonary (p-value=0.022), infectious (p-value=0.006), and tumor-related (p-value=0.033) diagnoses, as well as higher mortality in older pilgrims (>40 years) (4.5% vs 1.2%). Overall mortality was 3.6%, with 58.3% improved and discharged.
Conclusion: Gastrointestinal diseases, injuries, and respiratory conditions dominate healthcare utilization among pilgrims in Al-Madinah. Older age and pre-existing comorbidities significantly increase severe outcomes and mortality. Enhanced pre-travel health screening, targeted preventive measures, and improved chronic disease management are strongly recommended.

Key words: Hajj, Umrah, mass gathering medicine, pilgrim health, gastrointestinal diseases, comorbidities, Saudi Arabia.