Overview
The quality of primary healthcare systems for patients with hypertension (HTA) in Morocco is a critical issue due to its high prevalence and significant impact on morbidity and mortality. The concept of "quality in primary care" encompasses fundamental aspects such as timeliness, accessibility, and the provision of care based on current clinical guidelines and recommendations from professional societies.
This observational study on hypertension (HTA) uses an electronic registry accessible remotely to collect medical data from primary care and hospital settings. Investigators will be trained to ensure standardization in blood pressure measurements to minimize errors. The registry will include clinical, therapeutic, and complication data for patients aged 18 and over with a confirmed diagnosis of HTA, with information transmitted anonymously via a certified secure channel.
Informed consent from patients will be required for including their data in the registry. Collected data will include anthropometric measurements (weight, height, waist circumference, body mass index), blood pressure measurements by validated devices or ambulatory measurements, and metabolic assessments (blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, HDL, urea, creatinine, uric acid, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio). Cardiovascular complications will also be recorded.
The study design is a cohort study with a cross-sectional perspective and a targeted follow-up period of one year. The study aims to evaluate the prevalence and phenotypes of HTA in Morocco, as well as the geographic distribution of the disease. It will compare current data with those from previous years and other North African countries to assess the applicability of Moroccan clinical practices and recommendations from the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). The goal is to enhance the understanding and management of HTA, as well as to optimize prevention and treatment strategies.
This comprehensive analysis will help identify potential gaps in primary care and develop strategies to improve the management of hypertensive patients. The comparative evaluation of data related to examinations, treatments, and complications of the cohort of patients followed for hypertension during the period 2024-2026, in comparison with results from previous years and other countries, will provide valuable insights into the shortcomings and progress in care delivery. This approach will not only identify areas needing improvement but also highlight significant advances in hypertension management.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Individuals aged over 18 years.
- Patients with blood pressure:
- Higher than 140 mmHg systolic and/or higher or equal to 90 mmHg diastolic in consultation or in a hospital setting.
- Higher than 135/85 mmHg at home or in ambulatory blood pressure measurements (ABPM).
- Patients who have agreed and signed the informed consent.
- Patients with legal status in the Moroccan kingdom.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patient without diagnosis of hypertension
- Patient under 18 years old
- Patients refusing to sign the informed consent.
- Patients with illegal status in the kingdom.