Neurological Sciences
Volume 40, Issue 4, 2019, Pages 857-859

Migrants seeking help for cognitive disturbances: exploratory data from an Italian memory clinic (Article)

Canevelli M.* , Zaccaria V. , Ruocco C. , Valletta M. , Gasparini M. , Vanacore N. , Cesari M. , Bruno G.
  • a Department of Human Neuroscience, “Sapienza” University, Rome, Italy, National Center for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
  • b Department of Human Neuroscience, “Sapienza” University, Rome, Italy
  • c Department of Human Neuroscience, “Sapienza” University, Rome, Italy
  • d Department of Human Neuroscience, “Sapienza” University, Rome, Italy
  • e Department of Human Neuroscience, “Sapienza” University, Rome, Italy
  • f National Center for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
  • g Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy, Geriatric Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
  • h Department of Human Neuroscience, “Sapienza” University, Rome, Italy

Abstract

Introduction: The phenomenon of dementia occurring in migrants and minority groups constitutes an emerging issue for Western countries. Nevertheless, it has been poorly explored from the perspective of “real-world” clinical services. We aimed to quantify the number of migrants from LMIC attending an Italian university memory clinic and to document its modifications over time. Methods: All the subjects undergoing a first neurological and cognitive assessment between 2001 and 2017 were considered for the present analyses. Results: The proportion of subjects from LMIC performing a first cognitive evaluation was found to remain substantially stable between 2001 and 2017. No statistically significant difference was found between “HIC” and “LMIC” individuals with regard to sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Conclusion: These findings seem to indicate that cognitive disorders in LMIC migrants still constitute a marginal public health issues for Italian dementia services. Nevertheless, the identification of eventual sociocultural and healthcare barriers may help to understand the real magnitude and relevance of this phenomenon. © 2018, Fondazione Società Italiana di Neurologia.

Author Keywords

Dementia cross-cultural Migrants health disparities Developing countries Cognitive disorders

Index Keywords

memory disorder Dementia cognitive defect Cognitive Dysfunction developing country Developing Countries human middle income country statistics and numerical data controlled study Aged high income country Humans migrant male Emigrants and Immigrants female Aged, 80 and over very elderly Ambulatory Care Facilities outpatient department Article major clinical study Memory Disorders patient attitude Italy Patient Acceptance of Health Care public health
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85058009580&doi=10.1007%2fs10072-018-3663-0&partnerID=40&md5=be847deb95f406f844fde80342e10b9e
DOI: 10.1007/s10072-018-3663-0
ISSN: 15901874
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English