Chief Complaints and Diagnosis of Patients Visited by Caravan Physicians During Hajj 2010

BACKGROUND: The primary data on the patient’s status are articulated by the patient and consist of conditions that force the patient to seek treatment. Such data helps the physician effectively to make an appropriate list of differential diagnoses to establish a treatment protocol. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to review the frequency of patients’ chief complaints in Hajj to plan and develop medical protocols for expected problems in Hajj. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this short-term past-oriented study, all medical files of the Hajj pilgrims were reviewed and all data regarding the diagnoses were extracted. RESULTS: In general, medical data of 107074 cases had been registered in this software. Cough with the frequency of 24083 (22.45%) was the most frequent complaints of the patients. Respiratory tract infections diseases with 66197 persons (61.82%) were the most frequently diagnosed diseases in times of annual Hajj of 2010. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory disease, musculoskeletal pain, headache, and digestion problems were among the most important reasons of patients' referral to physicians in times of Hajj. The mentioned complications could be prevented through correct trainings and conforming to health recommendations in times of Hajj.