The silent struggle: assessing anxiety prevalence in Marrakech’s hypertensive population

BACKGROUND: Anxiety is a disorder that may negatively impact the quality of life for people with hypertension. In Marrakech, epidemiological data on anxiety in hypertension patients are scarce, preventing holistic treatment for hypertensive patients and favoring the development of comorbidities. This study aims to assess the prevalence of self-reported anxiety among hypertensive patients receiving care in primary healthcare centers in Marrakech. METHODS: Between May 2021 and December 2022, a cross-sectional study of 1053 hypertensive patients who visited primary healthcare centers in Marrakech was carried out. Socio-demographic information, behavioral and clinical information, hypertensive treatment characteristics, and the care-patient-physician triad were all collected via a face-to-face questionnaire. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) was used to assess self-reported anxiety. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for self-reported anxiety. RESULTS: A total of 348 (33.1%) of those with hypertension overall reported having anxiety symptoms. 301 (86.5%) patients were females, and the mean age was 61.5 ± 9.6 years (mean ± standard deviation). High stress, moderate stress, family history of hypertension, pain and physical discomfort, non-purchase of drug if it is out of stock at the primary healthcare centers, living in urban areas, lack of social support, and non-consumption of five fruits and vegetables per day were identified as risk factors of self-reported anxiety. CONCLUSION: Self-reported anxiety is prevalent in one third of hypertensive patients in Marrakech. Hence, greater emphasis should be placed on the mental health component when managing hypertensive patients in primary healthcare centers.