Background: The number of migrants with dementia in Italy might increase considerably over the coming years due to the increasing flow of immigration and the aging of the population. Aims: We retrospectively registered rate and characteristics of demented migrant outpatients referred to one hospital in Milan from 2001 to 2017. Methods: Information about country of origin of migrants attending general neurology and memory clinics was obtained from their Italian tax code. Socio-demographic, cultural, and clinical characteristics were derived from their medical records. Results: Migrants with cognitive decline represented a minimal fraction (3.1%) of demented outpatients, but a grow rate of 400% was registered within the period of observation. A linguistic barrier resulted as the main obstacle for the application of available diagnostic tools for dementia. Discussion/conclusion: Given the above-reported data, the implementation of strategies (such as transcultural diagnostic instruments) and policies dedicated to this growing health problem appears a priority for our health systems.

Cognitive disorders in migrants: retrospective analysis in a Center for Cognitive Disorders and Dementia in Milan / I. Cova, F. Del Tedesco, L. Maggiore, L. Pantoni, S. Pomati. - In: AGING CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH. - ISSN 1594-0667. - 32:3(2020 Mar), pp. 535-538.

Cognitive disorders in migrants: retrospective analysis in a Center for Cognitive Disorders and Dementia in Milan

I. Cova
Primo
;
L. Maggiore;L. Pantoni
Penultimo
;
S. Pomati
Ultimo
2020

Abstract

Background: The number of migrants with dementia in Italy might increase considerably over the coming years due to the increasing flow of immigration and the aging of the population. Aims: We retrospectively registered rate and characteristics of demented migrant outpatients referred to one hospital in Milan from 2001 to 2017. Methods: Information about country of origin of migrants attending general neurology and memory clinics was obtained from their Italian tax code. Socio-demographic, cultural, and clinical characteristics were derived from their medical records. Results: Migrants with cognitive decline represented a minimal fraction (3.1%) of demented outpatients, but a grow rate of 400% was registered within the period of observation. A linguistic barrier resulted as the main obstacle for the application of available diagnostic tools for dementia. Discussion/conclusion: Given the above-reported data, the implementation of strategies (such as transcultural diagnostic instruments) and policies dedicated to this growing health problem appears a priority for our health systems.
Cognitive disorders; Dementia; Italy; Migrants
Settore MED/26 - Neurologia
mar-2020
Article (author)
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/738891
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