Profile of Patients Attending SKIMS Srinagar during 2011 Amarnathji Yatra

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Amarnathji cave, situated at an altitude of 3,888 m, about 141 km from Srinagar, is one of the holiest shrines in Hinduism. The annual pilgrimage to Amarnathji is a very demanding endeavor requiring strenuous physical efforts, and poses many health hazards to the pilgrims, especially elderly and those with chronic illnesses.
 OBJECTIVE: To study the pattern and outcome of illness in Yatris attending SKIMS during Amarnathji Yatra 2011.
 METHODS: This prospective study was carried during 45 day Yatra period, from July 2011 to August 2011. All the patients referred to SKIMS were recruited for the study.
 RESULTS: Of the 185 patients received in SKIMS during the mentioned yatra period, 100 were discharged on emergency-OPD card on the same day, and the remaining 85 patients (48 men) were admitted. Age of the patients ranged from 15 to 85 years with a mean of 51.49 ±15.49 (median, 53 years) with majority in the age group of 45 to 65 years. AMI was the main diagnosis at arrival (in 16.5%) followed by Poly-trauma (15.3%); Head injury (11.8%); High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) (10.6%); Gastro-enteritis (10.6%); Diabetes (10.6%); COPD (7.1%); Stroke (5.9%); Poison(g (3.5%); and Others (8.2%). Of the 85 admitted patients, 5 patients expired with a mortality of 5.9% (95% CI, 1.9 – 13.2). 4 (80%) patients who died were aged ≥65 years compared to 14 (17.5%) of those were discharged (p <0.001). CONCLUSION: Yatris attending Amrnath ji yatra face many health related challenges. A pre-yatra checkup of all yatris planning for Amarnathji yatra should be made mandatory for all. Elderly pilgrims (>65 years) and those with any morbidity who are undertaking for yatra by foot/surface transport should be well-informed about the potential health hazards of the yatra. JMS 2012;15(2):170-73

Profile, Pattern and Outcome of Shri Amaranth Ji Yatri Patients attending Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, India during Holy Yatra of 2017

“…Comparison of the present study with previous studies in year 2011 AND 2015 shows that the no. of injury patients had increased significantly in present study and RTA victims formed significant proportion of cases.…”

“…Out of 43 admitted patients 36(83.7%) patients improved, 1(2.32%) were discharged on request, 1(2.32%) was referred and 5(11.62%) expired. Comparison of the present study with previous studies in year 2011AND 2015 shows that the no. of injury patients had increased significantly in present study and RTA victims formed significant proportion of cases.…”

“…A study by Yatto et al [5] in 2011, recommended the pre health check up of the yatris before starting pilgrimage. Also it recommended upgradation of health facilities along the yatra route.…”

“…Sher-i-Kashmir institute of medical sciences is a super specialty teaching university hospital catering to all the three provinces of Jammu and Kashmir State. Most of the Amaranth Ji Yatra patients requiring super-specialty care are referred to this institute for treatment [5]. The study was done to identify profile, pattern and outcome of yatri patients attending SKIMS in 2017 and to compare the results with studies of 2011 and 2015 (Figure 2 & 3).…”

Travel, Pilgrimage and Health Hazards

“…In this issue of the Journal, there is a study by 7 Yatoo, et al about the pattern and outcome of illness in Yatris attending SKIMS during Amarnathji Yatra. This prospective study was carried during a 45-day Yatra period in which all the Yatris referred to SKIMS were studied.…”