Primary Care Diabetes
2019

Will undocumented migrants contribute to change epidemiology, presentation and pharmacologic treatment of diabetes in Western countries? (Article)

Fiorini G. , Milani S. , Pincelli A.I. , Calella D. , Galliani S. , Badalamenti S. , Rigamonti A.E. , Marazzi N. , Sartorio A. , Cella S.G.*
  • a Istituti Clinici Zucchi, Gruppo San Donato, Carate Brianza, Italy
  • b Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Italy
  • c Endocrinology and Diabetes Center, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
  • d Endocrinology and Diabetes Center, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
  • e Endocrinology and Diabetes Center, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
  • f Osservatorio Donazione Farmaci, Banco Farmaceutico Foundation, Italy
  • g Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Italy
  • h Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Laboratory for Auxo-endocrinological Research, Milano and Verbania, Italy
  • i Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Laboratory for Auxo-endocrinological Research, Milano and Verbania, Italy
  • j Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Italy, Osservatorio Donazione Farmaci, Banco Farmaceutico Foundation, Italy

Abstract

Aims: Migrants from countries in which health and social conditions are unsatisfactory, and their offspring, are becoming a growing component of the western population. Available health data show that their morbidity is at least comparable to that of the host country population, with a significant contribution of chronic diseases as diabetes. The possibility that diabetes shows different features in undocumented migrants is the hypothesis that we tried to investigate in this study. Methods: We retrospectively analysed the data of 413 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM): 222 patients followed in a diabetes clinic at a University Hospital and 191 undocumented migrants cared for by a Charity in Milan, Italy. Results: We found that the onset of the disease was earlier in migrants; they showed a significant lower body mass index (BMI) and had lower socioeconomic conditions. They had a worse glycaemic control. The pattern of complications was also different between the two groups, with cardiovascular complications more frequent in Italians. Finally, also pharmacologic treatment differed significantly. Conclusions: Age of onset, clinical manifestations and complications of T2DM in undocumented migrants and natives may show significant differences. This is important for both epidemiological and clinical reasons. If these preliminary observations are confirmed by larger studies, we can conclude that undocumented migrants should be screened for T2DM earlier than natives, and that therapies should be tailored to the specific features of their disease. © 2019 Primary Care Diabetes Europe

Author Keywords

Undocumented migrants Diabetic complications type 2 diabetes

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85065039088&doi=10.1016%2fj.pcd.2019.04.004&partnerID=40&md5=6a2546f7e87605b0fed6470e512359fe
DOI: 10.1016/j.pcd.2019.04.004
ISSN: 17519918
Original Language: English