Key result
Sadhu lifestyle is linked to a ~4-fold higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease vs. non-sadhus.
Why the study?
Do sadhus have a different cardiometabolic risk profile compared to non-sadhus?
Cross-Sectional (n=26,577)
Do sadhus have a different cardiometabolic risk profile compared to non-sadhus?
Absolute Event Rate: 14.5% vs 3.8%
p-value: p=<0.001
Sadhus represent a high-risk cardiometabolic subgroup with significantly higher rates of self-reported diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and substance use compared to non-sadhus.
Background: Mass religious gatherings offer unique opportunities for large-scale public health screening. Sadhus, ascetic spiritual practitioners with distinctive lifestyle patterns, represent an understudied subgroup with potentially divergent cardiometabolic risk profiles compared with non-sadhus. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 26,577 adults screened during Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj, India. Participants were categorized as sadhus ( n = 3,538) or non-sadhus ( n = 23,039) based on self-identification. Demographic characteristics, cardiometabolic risk factors, behavioral patterns, and medication adherence were compared between groups using chi-square tests, t tests, and Mann–Whitney U tests. Results: Sadhus were significantly older (51.0 ± 14.1 vs. 48.2 ± 15.0 years, P < 0.001), more rural (76.0% vs. 61.5%, P < 0.001), and more male (69.3% vs. 66.2%, P < 0.001). Despite a marginally lower body mass index (25.0 ± 4.3 vs. 25.4 ± 4.6 kg/m 2 , P < 0.001), sadhus had a substantially higher prevalence of self-reported diabetes (34.6% vs. 24.1%, P < 0.001), self-reported hypertension (21.8% vs. 15.2%, P < 0.001), and self-reported cardiovascular disease (14.5% vs. 3.8%, P < 0.001). Alcohol consumption (49.6% vs. 15.5%, P < 0.001), tobacco use (45.0% vs. 13.6%, P < 0.001), and medication nonadherence specific to Maha Kumbh travel (36.1% vs. 15.0%, P < 0.001) were markedly elevated among sadhus. Conclusion: Contrary to expectations, sadhus represent a high-risk cardiometabolic subgroup warranting targeted, culturally sensitive screening and preventive health strategies.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Maheshwari et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Noncommunicable Diseases (n=26,577). Sadhu lifestyle (ascetic spiritual practitioners) vs. Non-sadhus was evaluated on Self-reported cardiovascular disease (p=<0.001). Sadhus had a substantially higher prevalence of self-reported cardiovascular disease compared with non-sadhus (14.5% vs. 3.8%, P<0.001), alongside elevated rates of diabetes and hypertension.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: