Epidemiology of Hypertension in the Prefecture of Figuig, Morocco

BACKGROUND: Hypertension continues to be a public health problem with devastating consequences globally, particularly in developing countries where there is an acute paucity of hypertension data.The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological, clinical, and treatment characteristics of hypertensive patients in the prefecture of Figuig, Morocco. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of hypertensive patients’ medical records from 2010 to 2020. The diagnosis, treatments, and complications were reported by physicians and cardiologists. Data analysis was made according to epidemiological, clinical complications, and treatments. RESULTS: Hypertension progressed from 871 cases in 2010 to 1785 cases in 2020 with an average annual incidence rate of 105.56/100,000 person-year, affecting more women than men (68% vs 32%). Hypertension was higher among rural residents compared to urban residents (54.0%vs 46%). Hypertension was noted in 65.4 % of patients aged 60+, and in 30.49% of patients aged 40-59. The incidence proportion of clinical complications is Ipcomplications=18.35/1000 person- year, principally cardiovascular diseases (45.42%), stroke (25.55%), retinopathy (17.98%) and nephropathy (10.41%). The most antihypertensive drugs used were Calcium channel blockers (33.39%), Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (21.13%), Angiotensin receptors blockers (21.21%), diuretics (19.4%), beta-blockers (5.38%) and central antihypertensive (10.46%) with an average coverage needs of treatments in the prefecture as (47.29%). CONCLUSION: Hypertension progresses gradually in the prefecture, higher among older individuals, women and rural residents. Large proportion of patients cannot find their treatments in health care structures which lead to poor blood pressure control, accelerating the appearance of complications.