Factors of mortality in the heat stroke pilgrims during Hajj: a retrospective study

Abstract Purpose Heat illness is a commonly occurring disorder around the world, according to clinical research institutes, it is the leading cause of climate-related deaths, and its incidence is increasing. Heat-related illness (HRI) is when a high body's core temperature exceeds its normal level, usually due to exposure to a high-temperature environment. HRI present a wide range of fatigue, vomiting, fainting, hyperthermia, neurological disturbance, circulatory collapse, and multiorgan failure. Thus, this study aimed to identify the significant factors associated with the risk of mortality among Hajj pilgrims with heat stroke. Methodology A retrospective study was conducted at three different hospitals in Makkah from 1 to 20 Dulhuja for in 2018. It includes a total number of 176 patients who exhibited rectal temperatures of 40 °C and above, along with disturbed consciousness status the risk factor for mortality in patients with heat stroke were evaluated by using logistic regression. Findings Among the 176 patients assessed, 23 patients (13.07%) died during hospital admission, resulting in a survival rate of 86.94%. Risk factors for mortality in heatstroke were analysed by employing logistic regression. The univariate analysis found APACHE II score, GCS score, SOFA score, core body temperature, creatinine, platelets count, heart rate, respiratory rate, and prothrombin time are the significant variables with p < 0.05. while, logistics regression revealed that higher core temperature (OR: 0088; CI: 0.0001–0.5780, P = 0.027), higher scores of APACHE II score (OR: 0.2463; CI: 0.0859–0.7063, P = 0.009), higher SOFA scores (OR: 0.5492; CI: 0.4414–0.6832), elevated levels of creatinine (OR: 0.9637; CI: 0.9278–1.0009, P = 0.046) were significantly associated with low risk of mortality while low levels of platelets (OR: 1.0342; CI: 1.0004–1.0691, P = 0.047) was the significant factors that were associated with the higher risk of mortality among patients with heat stroke. Originality The present study has provided valuable insights by revealing that heat stroke patients with low platelets are more likely at higher risk of mortality.