International Journal of Cardiology
Volume 254, 2018, Pages 362-367

Diverging patterns of cardiovascular diseases across immigrant groups in Northern Italy (Article)

Fedeli U.* , Avossa F. , Ferroni E. , Schievano E. , Bilato C. , Modesti P.A. , Corti M.C.
  • a SER – Epidemiological Department, Passaggio Gaudenzio 1, Padova (PD), Veneto Region 35131, Italy
  • b SER – Epidemiological Department, Passaggio Gaudenzio 1, Padova (PD), Veneto Region 35131, Italy
  • c SER – Epidemiological Department, Passaggio Gaudenzio 1, Padova (PD), Veneto Region 35131, Italy
  • d SER – Epidemiological Department, Passaggio Gaudenzio 1, Padova (PD), Veneto Region 35131, Italy
  • e Local Health Unit n. 8, Cardiology Unit, Arzignano. Via del Parco, 1, Arzignano (VI), 36071, Italy
  • f Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, Florence, 50134, Italy
  • g SER – Epidemiological Department, Passaggio Gaudenzio 1, Padova (PD), Veneto Region 35131, Italy

Abstract

Background: Only fragmentary data are available on the burden of non-communicable diseases among immigrants in Europe, mostly limited to mortality by cause. Aim of the study is to investigate the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases across different immigrant groups in the Veneto Region (North-Eastern Italy). Methods: The resident population aged 20–59 was classified according to country of citizenship. The Adjusted Clinical Groups System was adopted to identify selected cardiovascular conditions by linkage of Hospital Discharge Records, Emergency Room visits, Chronic disease registry for copayment exemptions, the Home care database, and drugs reimbursed by the Regional Health Service. Age standardized prevalence rates were compared across population groups, and rate ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed taking the Italian population as reference. Results: The prevalence of diabetes was higher across all immigrant groups compared to Italians. Specific risk patterns could be identified associated to different ethnicities: South Asian immigrants were at very high risk of diabetes, dyslipidemia, and ischemic heart disease (males RR 2.3, CI 1.9–2.8; females RR 2.0, CI 1.2–3.5). Immigrants from Africa were affected by high rates of hypertension, cerebrovascular diseases, and heart failure, with a more pronounced unfavorable profile among females (hypertension RR 3.0, CI 2.6–3.3; cerebrovascular diseases RR 1.7, CI 1.1–2.7). Conclusions: Wide differences in the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases could be detected across immigrant groups. These findings represent a first step towards systematic chronic disease surveillance by ethnicity, a fundamental tool for shaping culturally-tailored prevention strategies. © 2017 Elsevier Ireland Ltd

Author Keywords

Prevalence immigrants Cardiovascular disease epidemiology

Index Keywords

immigrant Europe, Eastern South Asian Cardiovascular Diseases human middle aged Ethnic Groups diabetes mellitus reimbursement metabolic disorder priority journal data base hypertension ethnic group Databases, Factual Eastern Europe factual database Central America chronic disease ethnology Young Adult Humans migrant cerebrovascular disease cardiovascular disease male disease registry Emigrants and Immigrants Italian (citizen) South America female risk factor Risk Factors Southeast Asia Africa high risk population population research prevalence Article major clinical study adult Africa, Northern age dyslipidemia ischemic heart disease Italy ethnicity disease association citizenship Metabolic Diseases heart failure Asia, Southeastern
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85041640791&doi=10.1016%2fj.ijcard.2017.12.014&partnerID=40&md5=300c95e88b7e7e975a42a0787f73f584
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2017.12.014
ISSN: 01675273
Cited by: 3
Original Language: English