Abstract
Diabetic emergencies are serious acute life-threatening complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). Hajj season requires health system in Saudi Arabia to prepare efficiently for healthcare of millions of pilgrims, particularly for diabetic emergencies. Thus, diabetic emergencies need rapid recognition, diagnosis, and treatment. This study aimed to explore the frequency and associated factors of diabetic emergencies among pilgrims' patients with DM during Hajj, Mecca 2019. This is a prospective study which was conducted on 153 patients with DM. They were selected from three major health care-providing facilities during Hajj, which are “Arafat”, “Muzdelefah”, and “Muna” healthcare centres. The study was conducted during the period from 5th to 12th of Aug. 2019. All patients who presented with any of the hypoglycaemic or hyperglycaemic emergencies had their demographic and clinical characteristics recorded to estimate the prevalence of each emergency and identify its significant associated factors. More than 90% of the study participants were patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), while around 7% had type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). DKA and HHS and hypoglycaemia were presented in (n = 11, 7.2%), (n = 19, 12.4%), and (n = 28, 18%), respectively, of the participants. Moreover, the study found that “Younger Age" (odds = 30.4, P = 0.0115) and "Type of Medication" are significantly associated with DKA. Furthermore, “Older Age," "Type of Medication," "Having CVD," and "Diabetes Duration" were found to have a significant association with HHS. Moreover, Hypoglycemia was associated with neuropathy complication (Odds = 3.54948, P = 0.0187). Among diabetic pilgrims participating in Hajj, a considerable proportion with a range of diabetic emergencies present to onsite medical facilities. Preparation is required in terms of logistics and health education about diabetic emergencies to meet the needs of pilgrims with DM, especially those who use insulin and have longstanding diabetes. Further research on DM and the creation of guidelines for health providers and patients with DM during Hajj are important focuses for the future.
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