Giorgia Maestri (Italy)
Neurology Unit "Luigi Sacco" University HospitalAuthor Of 1 Presentation
DEMENTIA AND COGNITIVE DISORDERS AMONG INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS LIVING IN ITALY: FINDINGS FROM THE IMMIDEM SURVEY
- Marco Canevelli (Italy)
Abstract
Background and Aims:
The occurrence of cognitive disorders among international migrants is increasing in most western countries and can assume special clinical and public health relevance. The aims of the present study were i) to estimate the number of migrants attending Italian dementia services, and ii) to identify possible barriers and resources surrounding this issue.
Methods:
A nationwide survey of all Italian memory clinics (CCDDs, centers for cognitive disorders and dementia) was conducted between December 2020 and April 2021. The representatives of CCDDs were asked to fill a questionnaire to collect information on i) the number of migrants (i.e., people born abroad) attending these services in 2019, ii) the main complexities encountered in the clinical assessment of cognitive disturbances in migrants, and iii) possible facilitators in the provision of care.
Results:
Overall, 343 out of the 570 contacted CCDDs returned the completed survey questionnaire (response rate: 60.2%). A total of 4,530 migrants attended Italian dementia services in 2019, accounting for 1.7% of overall referrals, with wide variations by region, setting, and administrative features. 37.9% of centers reported that the number of migrants undergoing clinical evaluation had increased over the past 5 years. A minority of CCDDs had information material on dementia in languages other than Italian, translated cognitive tests, or cross-cultural assessment tools. Conversely, most services reported the possibility of contacting social care providers, cultural mediators, and/or interpreters.
Conclusions:
This is the first attempt to provide a nationwide characterization of the issue of dementia in migrants living in Italy.