British Journal of Psychiatry
Volume 179, Issue OCT., 2001, Pages 361-366

Mental health of migrant elders - The Islington study (Article) (Open Access)

Livingston G.* , Leavey G. , Kitchen G. , Manela M. , Sembhi S. , Katona C.
  • a Department of Psychiatry Sciences, Royal Free and Univ. Coll. Med. Sch., Wolfson Building, 48 Riding House Street, London WIN 8AA, United Kingdom
  • b Department of Psychiatry Sciences, Royal Free and Univ. Coll. Med. Sch., Wolfson Building, 48 Riding House Street, London WIN 8AA, United Kingdom
  • c Department of Psychiatry Sciences, Royal Free and Univ. Coll. Med. Sch., Wolfson Building, 48 Riding House Street, London WIN 8AA, United Kingdom
  • d Department of Psychiatry Sciences, Royal Free and Univ. Coll. Med. Sch., Wolfson Building, 48 Riding House Street, London WIN 8AA, United Kingdom
  • e Department of Psychiatry Sciences, Royal Free and Univ. Coll. Med. Sch., Wolfson Building, 48 Riding House Street, London WIN 8AA, United Kingdom
  • f Department of Psychiatry Sciences, Royal Free and Univ. Coll. Med. Sch., Wolfson Building, 48 Riding House Street, London WIN 8AA, United Kingdom

Abstract

Background: In the UK,6% of those aged 65 years and over were born abroad, most of whom now live in inner-city areas. It has been suggested that ethnic elders are particularly vulnerable to mental illness. Aims: To compare the prevalence of dementia and depression in older migrants with those born in the UK. Method: A cross-sectional community study of 1085 people aged 65 years or older in an inner-London borough. Results: Compared with those born in the UK, the prevalence of dementia was raised in African - Caribbeans (17.3%, relative risk=1.72,Cl=1.06-2.81) and lower for the Irish-born (3.6%, relative risk - 0.36,Cl=0.17-0.87). All those of African- Caribbean country of birth were significantly younger (P=0.000) but no more likely to be taking antihypertensive drugs. They were no more likely to report having cardiovascular problems but had increased rates of diabetes (P < 0.0000). The overall prevalence of depression was 18.3% (95% Cl=16.1-20.7).The highest prevalence rate was found among those born in Greece and Turkey (27.2%, Cl=17.9-39.6). Migration per se does not appear to be a risk for depression and dementia in this population. Conclusions: The excess of dementia may be of vascular aetiology. There is the potential for primary or secondary prevention.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

depression Dementia risk London mental health human Statistics, Nonparametric diabetes mellitus controlled study Turkey (republic) hypertension Aged Mental Disorders Humans Ireland cardiovascular disease male female risk factor Greece Caribbean Region prevalence Article major clinical study migration age Turkey United Kingdom antihypertensive agent Transients and Migrants
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0034771275&doi=10.1192%2fbjp.179.4.361&partnerID=40&md5=1ad9ec1e0aec0b47b8bf408a8493a461
DOI: 10.1192/bjp.179.4.361
ISSN: 00071250
Cited by: 67
Original Language: English