Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Diseases in Morocco: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE: To provide a systematic review of studies on cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and their risk factors in the Moroccan population. METHODS: A systematic analysis was performed based on PRISMA guidelines by retrieving data bases (Medline, Embase, and other) using technical keywords in addition to manual research on official websites. Published studies in the English or French language, conducted in Morocco or concerning the Moroccan population within the last two decades, were identified. RESULTS: This is the first systematic review of CVD in Morocco. Data from 159 studies were retrieved and analyzed. Most studies were written in the English language (75.89%) and published between 2010 and 2019 (85.47%). The mortality rate caused by CVD in Morocco has reached 38%, with ischemic heart disease and stroke as the main events causing death (31.0% and 22.5% respectively). The risk factors present in the population studied were headed by tobacco smoking (45-50%), followed by physical inactivity (21.1%), elevated rate of hypertension (25.3%), and depression (5.47%). Impacted by a high rate of illiteracy and poverty and an unprepared health care system in Morocco, these numbers are expected to increase over the next decade. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these alarming incidences, investment in scientific research and epidemiological studies should be increased to determine the needs of the local population. The available evidence shows that the risk of cardiovascular disease and the associated mortality is very high in Morocco and will rise in the next years prospectively, which calls for urgent multi-sectorial approaches and treatment strategies.