Key result
Known hypertension linked to ~2.7-fold higher odds of abnormal blood pressure.
Why the study?
Hypertension is the most frequently reported chronic condition among pilgrims at mass religious gatherings, yet Guinean data on uncontrolled hypertension and hypertensive crisis during the pilgrimage were scarce.
What is the prevalence of abnormal blood pressure and hypertensive crisis, and what are their determinants, among Guinean pilgrims attending medical consultations during the Mecca pilgrimage?
Cross-Sectional (n=1,267)
No
What is the prevalence of abnormal blood pressure and hypertensive crisis, and what are their determinants, among Guinean pilgrims attending medical consultations during the Mecca pilgrimage?
Over half of consulting Guinean pilgrims exhibited abnormal blood pressure during the Mecca pilgrimage and self-reported usual antihypertensive treatment did not confer satisfactory blood pressure control, underscoring the need for active blood pressure management and screening before and during mass gatherings.
Known hypertension was associated with abnormal BP in pilgrims; hypothesis-generating for pre-travel screening before mass gatherings.
ABSTRACTIntroduction. Hypertension is the most frequently reported chronic condition among pilgrims attending mass religious gatherings, a context marked by extreme heat, exertion, and disrupted treatment. Guinean data on uncontrolled hypertension during the pilgrimage remain scarce. This study had as its purpose to estimate the prevalence of abnormal blood pressure and hypertensive crisis among Guinean pilgrims attending consultations, and to identify their determinants. Methods. Cross-sectional analysis of consultation data from a pilgrimage medical post. The primary outcome was a three-level blood pressure classification (normal, elevated, severe/crisis); two derived binary outcomes were modelled: abnormal blood pressure (elevated or severe) and severe hypertension (crisis). Adjusted odds ratios were estimated by multivariable logistic regression. Results. Among 1,267 pilgrims with measured blood pressure, 57.5% (95% CI 54.7–60.2) had abnormal blood pressure and 9.1% (95% CI 7.6–10.8) severe hypertension. Among the 481 pilgrims with known hypertension, 73.2% still had abnormal blood pressure despite usual treatment reported by 72.1%. Among the 582 pilgrims without known hypertension, 48.3% nonetheless had abnormal blood pressure, including 5.8% with a severe form. In the multivariable model, known hypertension remained the determinant most strongly associated with abnormal blood pressure (OR = 2.70, 95% CI 1.97–3.72) and severe hypertension (OR = 3.66, 95% CI 2.22–6.10); age was associated with abnormal blood pressure (OR = 1.02 per year, 95% CI 1.01–1.03). Reported usual treatment was not associated with any significant risk reduction. Conclusion. More than one consulting pilgrim in two had abnormal blood pressure, and reported usual treatment was not accompanied by satisfactory control. These findings argue for strengthening blood pressure control before and during the pilgrimage, beyond verifying usual medication use.RÉSUMÉIntroduction. L'hypertension est la maladie chronique la plus fréquemment rapportée chez les pèlerins participant à des rassemblements religieux de masse, un contexte marqué par une chaleur extrême, un effort physique soutenu et une perturbation des routines thérapeutiques. Les données guinéennes sur l'hypertension non contrôlée pendant le pèlerinage restent rares. Cette étude avait pour but d'estimer la prévalence de la pression artérielle anormale et de la crise hypertensive chez les pèlerins guinéens consultant, et d'en identifier les déterminants. Méthodologie. Analyse transversale des données de consultation d'un poste médical de pèlerinage. Le critère de jugement principal était une classification à trois niveaux de la pression artérielle (normale, élevée, sévère/crise) ; deux critères binaires dérivés ont été modélisés : pression artérielle anormale (élevée ou sévère) et hypertension sévère (crise). Les odds ratios ajustés ont été estimés par régression logistique multivariée. Résultats. Parmi 1 267 pèlerins avec pression artérielle mesurée, 57,5 % (IC 95 % : 54,7–60,2) avaient une pression artérielle anormale et 9,1 % (IC 95 % : 7,6–10,8) une hypertension sévère. Parmi les 481 pèlerins avec hypertension connue, 73,2 % avaient encore une pression artérielle anormale malgré un traitement habituel rapporté par 72,1 % d'entre eux. Parmi les 582 pèlerins sans hypertension connue, 48,3 % avaient néanmoins une pression artérielle anormale, dont 5,8 % une forme sévère. Dans le modèle multivarié, l'hypertension connue restait le déterminant le plus fortement associé à la pression artérielle anormale (OR = 2,70 ; IC 95 % : 1,97–3,72) et à l'hypertension sévère (OR = 3,66 ; IC 95 % : 2,22–6,10) ; l'âge était associé à la pression artérielle anormale (OR = 1,02 par an ; IC 95 % : 1,01–1,03). Le traitement habituel rapporté n'était associé à aucune réduction significative du risque. Conclusion. Plus d'un pèlerin consultant sur deux avait une pression artérielle anormale, et le traitement habituel rapporté ne s'accompagnait pas d'un contrôle satisfaisant. Ces résultats plaident pour un renforcement du contrôle tensionnel avant le départ et pendant le pèlerinage, au-delà de la simple vérification de la prise du traitement habituel.
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Konaré et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension and hypertensive crisis (n=1,267). Known hypertension prior to pilgrimage vs. No known history of hypertension was evaluated on Abnormal blood pressure (elevated or severe/hypertensive crisis) (OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.97-3.72, p=<0.001). Known hypertension was strongly associated with abnormal blood pressure (73.2% vs 48.3%; adjusted OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.97-3.72, p<0.001) among 1,267 consulting Guinean pilgrims.
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