Patient Journey for Hypertension and Dyslipidemia in Saudi Arabia: Highlighting the Evidence Gaps

Abstract

Background In recent years, Saudi Arabia has witnessed staggering rates of hypertension and dyslipidemia- related cardiovascular (CV) deaths, overburdening the healthcare ecosystem of the country. Appropriate public health interventions can be devised through quantitative mapping of evidence. Identification of potential data gaps can prioritize future research needs and develop a ‘best-fit’ framework for patient-centric management of hypertension and dyslipidemia. Methods This review quantified data gaps in the prevalence and key epidemiological touchpoints of the patient journey including awareness, screening, diagnosis, treatment, adherence, and control in patients suffering from hypertension and dyslipidemia in Saudi Arabia. Studies published in English between January 2010–December 2021 were identified through a structured search on MEDLINE, Embase, BIOSIS and PubMed databases. An unstructured search on public and government websites including Saudi Ministry of Health without date limits was carried out to fill data gaps. After exclusion of studies based on pre-defined criteria, a total of 14 studies on hypertension, 12 studies and one anecdotal evidence for dyslipidemia were included in the final analyses. Results The prevalence of hypertension was reported to be 14.8–41.8% while that for dyslipidemia was 12.5–62.0%, respectively. The screening rate for hypertension was 100.0% as revealed by the nationwide surveys. Among hypertensive patients, only 27.6–61.1% patients were aware of their condition, 42.2% patients underwent diagnosis, 27.9–78.9% patients received antihypertension treatment, 22.5% patients adhered to treatment medication while blood pressure (BP) control was achieved in 17.0–45.0% patients. Likewise, among patients with dyslipidemia, 10.5–47.3% patients were aware of their condition, 34.6% patients were screened and 17.8% underwent diagnosis. Although high treatment rates ranging from 40.0–94.0% were reported, medication adherence recorded was 45.0–77.4% among the treated patients. The overall control rates ranged from 28.0–41.5%. Conclusions The study findings highlight evidence gaps along key touchpoints of patient journey touchpoints. Reinforcing the efforts for high-quality evidence-based research at a national level may pave a path for better resource utilization and provide guidance to practice and amend health policies for patients, healthcare practitioners (HCPs) and healthcare policy makers for better patient outcomes in Saudi Arabia.

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