The burden of chronic noncommunicable diseases in undocumented migrants: a 1-year survey of drugs dispensation by a non-governmental organization in Italy

Evaluation of adherence to pharmacological treatments by undocumented migrants with chronic diseases: a 10-year retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the time course of medication adherence and some of the factors involved in this process in undocumented migrants with chronic diseases.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

A big non-governmental organisation in Milano, Italy, giving medical assistance to undocumented migrants.

PARTICIPANTS

1918 patients, 998 females and 920 males, with at least one chronic condition (diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), mental health disorders) seen over a period of 10 years (2011-2020). Their mean age was 49.2±13 years.

RESULTS

Adherence to medications decreased over 1 year in all patients. This was more evident during the first 2 months of treatment. Patients on only one medication were less adherent than those on more than one medication; at 6 months the percentage of patients with high adherence was 33% vs 57% (p<0.0001) for diabetes, 15% vs 46% (p<0.0001) for mental disorders and 35% vs 59% (p<0.0001) for CVDs. Patients with mental disorders had the lowest adherence: 25% at 6 months and 3% at 1 year. Mental disorders, when present as comorbidities, greatly reduced the probability of being highly adherent: risk ratio (RR) 0.72 (95% CI 0.57 to 0.91; p=0.006) at 3 months, RR 0.77, (95% CI 0.59 to 1.01; p=0.06) at 6 months, RR 0.35 (95% CI 0.13 to 0.94; p=0.04) at 1 year. This was especially evident for patients with CVDs, whose percentage of high adherents decreased to 30% (p=0.0008) at 6 months and to 3% (p=0.01) at 1 year. We also noted that highly adherent patients usually were those most frequently seen by a doctor.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions to increase medication adherence of undocumented migrants with chronic diseases are necessary, particularly in the first 2 months after beginning treatment. These should be aimed at people-centred care and include more outpatient consultations. Educational interventions should especially be taken into consideration for patients on monotherapy.

Cardiovascular risk and access to primary care: Comparisons among Chinese documented and undocumented immigrants

AIMS

The aim of this study was to examine main risk factors of undocumented Chinese migrants living in Italy when compared with Chinese migrants registered with National Health Service (NHS).

METHODS

A cohort of 3435 Chinese first-generation immigrants living in Prato underwent blood pressure (BP) measurement and blood tests. Hypertension was diagnosed for BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg at 2 visits, and/or antihypertensive drug use; type 2 diabetes (T2DM) for fasting glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL at 2 visits, and/or use of hypoglycemic drugs; hypercholesterolemia (HC) for cholesterol ≥ 240 mg/dL and/or statins use. Subjects diagnosed with hypertension, T2DM, or HC unaware of their condition were considered newly diagnosed. Comparisons were performed using multivariable adjusted logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

A large proportion of Chinese migrants were undocumented (1766, 51 %); newly diagnoses of risk factors were performed especially among undocumented migrants; registration with NHS was associated with higher level of awareness for hypertension and T2DM and with 6 times higher rate of treatment for T2DM. Only a small minority of subjects with high cholesterol were treated with statins.

CONCLUSIONS

Undocumented immigrants had high prevalence of risk factors with lower levels of awareness than migrants registered with the NHS. Health policies targeting this hard-to-reach population needs to be improved.

Characterizing non-communicable disease trends in undocumented migrants over a period of 10 years in Italy

Undocumented migrants represent a large part of the population in Countries of the European Union (EU) such as Italy. Their health burden is not fully understood and likely to be related mainly to chronic conditions. Information on their health needs and conditions may help to target public health interventions but is not found in national public health databases. We conducted a retrospective observational study of non-communicable disease (NCD) burden and management in undocumented migrants receiving medical care from Opera San Francesco, a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Milan, Italy. We analyzed the health records of 53,683 clients over a period of 10 years and collected data on demographics, diagnosis and pharmacological treatments prescribed. 17,292 (32.2%) of clients had one or more NCD diagnosis. The proportion of clients suffering from at least one NCD increased from 2011 to 2020. The risk of having an NCD was lower in men than women (RR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.86-0.89), increased with age (p for trend < 0.001) and changed with ethnicity. African and Asian migrants had a lower risk than Europeans of cardiovascular diseases (RR 0.62 CI 0.58-0.67, RR 0.85 CI 0.78-0.92 respectively) and mental health disorders (RR 0.66 CI 0.61-0.71, RR 0.60 CI 0.54-0.67 respectively), while the risk was higher in Latin American people (RR 1.07 CI 1.01-1.13, RR 1.18 CI 1.11-1.25). There was a higher risk of diabetes in those from Asia and Latin America (RR 1.68 CI 1.44-1.97, RR 1.39 CI 1.21-1.60). Overall, migrants from Latin America had the greatest risk of chronic disease and this was true for diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and mental health disorders. Undocumented migrants demonstrate a significantly different health burden of NCDs, which varies with ethnicity and background. Data from NGOs providing them with medical assistance should be included in structuring public health interventions aimed at the prevention and treatment of NCDs. This could help to better allocate resources and address their health needs.

Pharmacological Treatment of Type-2-Diabetes and Cardiovascular Comorbidities: Differences between Undocumented Migrants and Natives in Italy

Diabetes prevalence is growing worldwide, especially in some populations. Though migrations seem to contribute to the presence in host countries of a significant number of patients with diabetes and its comorbidities, very little is known about the health conditions of undocumented migrants. We retrospectively studied 838 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), 425 Italians followed by the diabetes clinic of a university hospital, and 413 undocumented migrants receiving assistance from a non-governmental organization. We analyzed their demographic and clinical data together with the medications they were on. The prevalence of the use of specific classes of drugs was compared between undocumented migrants and Italians by fitting a Poisson regression model, and the results were reported as prevalence rate ratios (PRRs) with a 95% confidence interval. Undocumented migrants with T2DM received fewer medications for cardiovascular (CV) conditions (PRR: 0.68, 0.60 to 0.76) than Italians, after correcting for confounding factors. Only sulfonylureas were more frequently used in undocumented migrants. The causes of these differences are not completely clear, but social, cultural, and economic factors can have an important role. More efforts are needed to provide appropriate treatment of diabetes and its CV comorbidities to undocumented migrants.

Ethnic, clinical, and pharmacological predictors of high social dependence in COVID-19 patients admitted to post-acute care

The COVID-19 epidemic affected both acute hospitals and post-acute care, which experienced various degrees of overcrowding. We evaluated all the patients admitted to a post-acute care facility during the second wave of the epidemic to detect features possibly associated with social frailty. We analyzed the socio-demographic characteristics and comorbidities of the patients and the pattern of their previous hospitalization as available in their discharge letter. In addition, we evaluated their clinical features and tests on admission to post-acute care. We found that COVID-19 patients without social problems had distinctive features. Those with a higher need for specific pharmacological treatments during their stay in an acute hospital were less likely to be admitted to post-acute care for concomitant social problems ( p < 0.05 for all types of medication). They were also more likely to be native (p = 0.02), obese (p = 0.009), and with hypertension (p = 0.03). Patients with social problems usually stayed longer and were less frequently discharged home with a negative swab (p = 0.0009). In COVID-19 patients, recognition of distinctive features predicting that their need for a longer hospital stay is due to social problems can lead to more appropriate discharge and to more appropriate use of post-acute care.

Social capital in the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases among migrants and refugees: a systematic review and meta-ethnography

Globally, the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) falls disproportionately on underserved populations. Migrants and refugees are particularly vulnerable due to economic instability and systemic poverty. Despite the myriad of health risks faced by migrants and refugees, access to appropriate healthcare is hindered by structural, cultural and socioeconomic barriers. We conducted a systematic review and meta-ethnography to obtain critical insight into how the interplay of social capital and structural factors (eg, state policies and socioeconomic disadvantage) influences the prevention and treatment of NCDs in migrant and refugee populations. We included 26 studies of 14 794 identified articles, which reported qualitative findings on the structure and functions of social capital in NCD prevention and management among migrants and refugees. We synthesised findings, using the process outlined by Noblit and Hare, which indicated that migrants and refugees experienced weakened social networks in postmigration settings. They faced multiple barriers in healthcare access and difficulty navigating healthcare systems perceived as complex. Family as the core of social capital appeared of mixed value in their NCD prevention and management, interacting with cultural dissonance and economic stress. Community organisations were integral in brokering healthcare access, especially for information diffusion and logistics. Healthcare providers, especially general practitioners, were important bridges providing service-user education and ensuring a full continuum of quality care. While social capital reduced immediate barriers in healthcare access for NCD prevention and management, it was insufficient to address structural barriers. System-level interventions appear necessary to achieve equitable healthcare access in host countries. PROSPERO registration number: CCRD42020167846.

Effects of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on follow-up and pharmacological treatment of chronic diseases in undocumented migrants

Background

All over the world, the COVID-19 pandemic, not unlikely other epidemics, has hit harder people in low socioeconomic conditions.

In Western countries, undocumented migrants are a growing component of this disadvantaged segment of the population.

Their health conditions are frequently burdened by a number of chronic conditions, and they experience many difficulties in accessing public health services. Frequently, the only medical assistance they can get is provided by non-governmental organisations.

Methods

We studied the medical records (including pharmacological treatments) of all patients attending the outpatient clinics of Opera San Francesco (OSF; a big charity in Milano, Italy), in the first 5 months of 2020. These comprise the outbreak of the pandemic and the lockdown period. The 1914 patients (1814 undocumented migrants and 100 Italians) seen during the lockdown were compared with those seen in the same period of 2019 and with those seen in the preceding months of 2020. We especially focused on three chronic conditions: cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and psychiatric disorders.

Results

The number of consultations during the first 5 months of 2020 was much smaller than that of the same period of 2019. During the lockdown, we found 4048 consultations for 1914 patients, while they were 8051 in the same period of 2019 and 5681 in the first 2 months of 2020.

The quantity of medicines dispensed by OSF showed a marked decrease in the period of the study and mainly during the lockdown.

The decrease in consultations and dispensation of medicines was most evident for psychiatric patients and almost not existent for patients with diabetes. Female patients suffered a more pronounced reduction.

Conclusions

Western countries need strategies to better assist the very poor during epidemics.

Differences among different groups of disadvantaged persons should be taken into account when designing recovery plans.

Engagement of non-governmental organisations in moving towards universal health coverage: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Developing essential health services through non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is an important strategy for progressing towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC), especially in low- and middle-income countries. It is crucial to understand NGOs' role in reaching UHC and the best way to engage them.

OBJECTIVE

This study reviewed the role of NGOs and their engagement strategies in progress toward UHC.

METHOD

We systematically reviewed studies from five databases (PubMed, Web of Science (ISI), ProQuest, EMBASE and Scopus) that investigated NGOs interventions in public health-related activities. The quality of the selected studies was assessed using the mixed methods appraisal tool. PRISMA reporting guidelines were followed.

FINDINGS

Seventy-eight studies met the eligibility criteria. NGOs main activities related to service and population coverage and used different strategies to progress towards UHC. To ensure services coverage, NGOs provided adequate and competent human resources, necessary health equipment and facilities, and provided public health and health care services strategies. To achieve population coverage, they provided services to vulnerable groups through community participation. Most studies were conducted in middle-income countries. Overall, the quality of the reported evidence was good. The main funding sources of NGOs were self-financing and grants from the government, international organisations, and donors.

CONCLUSION

NGOs can play a significant role in the country's progress towards UHC along with the government and other key health players. The government should use strategies and interventions in supporting NGOs, accelerating their movement toward UHC.

Risk factors, awareness of disease and use of medications in a deprived population: differences between indigent natives and undocumented migrants in Italy

BACKGROUND

Undocumented migrants experience many health problems; a comparison with a suitable control group of natives living in the same socio-economic conditions is still lacking.

METHODS

Demographic data and data on risk factors, chronic conditions and dietary habits were obtained for 6933 adults (2950 Italians and 3983 undocumented migrants) receiving medical assistance from 40 non-governmental organizations all over the country.

RESULTS

Attributed to the fact that these were unselected groups, differences were found in their demographic features, the main ones being their marital status (singles: 50.5% among Italians and 42.8% among migrants; P < 0.001). Smokers were more frequent among Italians (45.3% versus 42.7% P = 0.03); the same happened with hypertension (40.5% versus 34.5% P < 0.001). Migrants were more often overweight (44.1% versus 40.5% P < 0.001) and reporting a chronic condition (20.2% versus 14.4% P < 0.001). Among those on medications (n = 1354), Italians were fewer (n = 425) and on different medications. Differences emerged also in dietary habits.

CONCLUSIONS

Differences in health conditions exist between native-borns and undocumented migrants, not because of a bias related to socio-economic conditions. Further studies are needed to design sustainable health policies and tailored prevention plans.

Current Pharmacological Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Undocumented Migrants: Is It Appropriate for the Phenotype of the Disease?

Type 2 diabetes is increasingly recognized as a spectrum of metabolic disorders sharing chronic hyperglycaemia. In Europe, the continually growing number of migrants from developing countries could affect diabetes phenotypes. We evaluated a population of 426 Italians and 412 undocumented migrants. Using 17 variables (with the exclusion of ethnic origin) we performed a multiple component analysis to detect potential clusters, independently from ethnicity. We also compared the two groups to evaluate potential ethnicity associated differences. We found five clusters of patients with different disease phenotypes. Comparing Italians with undocumented migrants, we noted that the first had more often cardiovascular risk factors and neurologic involvement, while the latter had a higher frequency of diabetic ulcers and renal involvement. Metformin was used in a comparable percentage of patients in all clusters, but other antidiabetic treatments showed some differences. Italians were more often on insulin, due to a larger use of long acting insulin, and received a larger number of oral antidiabetics in combination. Pharmacological treatment of comorbidities showed some differences too. We suggest that type 2 diabetes should be considered as a spectrum of diseases with different phenotypes also in heterogeneous populations, and that this is not due only to ethnic differences.

Repurposing NGO data for better research outcomes: a scoping review of the use and secondary analysis of NGO data in health policy and systems research

Background

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) collect and generate vast amounts of potentially rich data, most of which are not used for research purposes. Secondary analysis of NGO data (their use and analysis in a study for which they were not originally collected) presents an important but largely unrealised opportunity to provide new research insights in critical areas, including the evaluation of health policy and programmes.

Methods

A scoping review of the published literature was performed to identify the extent to which secondary analysis of NGO data has been used in health policy and systems research (HPSR). A tiered analytical approach provided a comprehensive overview and descriptive analyses of the studies that (1) used data produced or collected by or about NGOs; (2) performed secondary analysis of the NGO data (beyond the use of an NGO report as a supporting reference); and (3) analysed NGO-collected clinical data.

Results

Of the 156 studies that performed secondary analysis of NGO-produced or collected data, 64% (n = 100) used NGO-produced reports (mostly to a limited extent, as a contextual reference or to critique NGO activities) and 8% (n = 13) analysed NGO-collected clinical data. Of these studies, 55% (n = 86) investigated service delivery research topics and 48% (n = 51) were undertaken in developing countries and 17% (n = 27) in both developing and developed countries. NGOs were authors or co-authors of 26% of the studies. NGO-collected clinical data enabled HPSR within marginalised groups (e.g. migrants, people in conflict-affected areas), albeit with some limitations such as inconsistent and missing data.

Conclusion

We found evidence that NGO-collected and produced data are most commonly perceived as a source of supporting evidence for HPSR and not as primary source data. However, these data can facilitate research in under-researched marginalised groups and in contexts that are hard to reach by academics such as conflict-affected areas. NGO–academic collaboration could help address issues of NGO data quality to facilitate their more widespread use in research. The use of NGO data use could enable relevant and timely research in the areas of programme evaluation and health policy and advocacy to improve health and reduce health inequalities, especially in marginalised groups and developing countries.

Effects of a 3-Week In-Hospital Body Weight Reduction Program on Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Muscle Performance, and Fatigue: A Retrospective Study in a Population of Obese Adults with or without Metabolic Syndrome

Background. In clinical practice, there is the diffuse conviction that obese subjects with metabolic syndrome may be more difficult to treat. Objectives and Methods. The aim of the present study was that to investigate the effectiveness of a 3-week in-hospital body weight reduction program (BWRP) in a large population of obese subjects with and without metabolic syndrome (n = 1922; 222 men and 1700 women, age range 18–83 yr). Outcomes such as body mass index (BMI), total (TOT) and HDL cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP, respectively), coronary heart disease (CHD) score, fatigue severity score (FSS), and stair climbing test (SCT) time were evaluated before and after the intervention (Δ). A sex-, BMI-, and age-related stratification of the obese population with or without metabolic syndrome was applied. Results. When compared to obese subjects without metabolic syndrome, at the basal conditions, obese subjects had a poorer cardiometabolic profile, as demonstrated by higher triglycerides, TOT-cholesterol, DBP, SBP, and CHD score, and a more compromised muscle performance (evaluated by SCT), associated with more perception of fatigue (measured by FSS). Nevertheless, obese subjects with metabolic syndrome obtained more benefits from BWRP than those without metabolic syndrome for some outcomes (i.e., ΔTOT-cholesterol, ΔSBP, and ΔCHD score). Despite these differences, the BWRP-induced weight loss was similar between the two groups (i.e., ΔBMI) as well as the gain of muscle performance (i.e., ΔSCT) and the reduction of fatigue (i.e., ΔFSS). Interestingly, the potentially deleterious fall in HDL-cholesterol levels after BWRP was less evident in obese subjects with metabolic syndrome than those without metabolic syndrome. When pooling all data, the ΔCHD score was associated with age, sex, and metabolic syndrome. The remaining outcomes, such as ΔBMI, ΔFSS, and ΔSCT time, were associated with sex and age but not with metabolic syndrome. Finally, ΔBMI was positively correlated with ΔCHD score, ΔFSS, and ΔSCT time in both obese subjects without metabolic syndrome and obese subjects with metabolic syndrome. Conclusions. When comparing obese subjects undergoing a BWRP, metabolic syndrome is not a negative predictive factor affecting the effectiveness of this intervention in terms of weight loss, muscle performance, and psychological well-being.

The potential of mobile health clinics in chronic disease prevention and health promotion in universal healthcare systems. An on-field experiment

BACKGROUND

Mobile health clinics (MHCs) are recognized to facilitate access to healthcare services, especially in disadvantaged populations. Notwithstanding that in Europe a wide-ranging background in mobile screening units for cancer is shared, evidences about MHCs targeting also at other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in universal health coverage systems are scarce. The aim of this study was to describe the population attracted with a MHC initiative and to assess the potential of this tool in prevention and control of NCDs.

METHODS

Our MHC was set up in a railway wagon. Standard body measurements, finger-stick glucose, total cholesterol and blood pressure were recorded. Participants were asked about smoking, physical activity, diet, compliance to national cancer screening programmes and ongoing pharmacological treatment. One-to-one counselling was then provided.

RESULTS

Participants (n = 839) showed a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity, insufficient intake of vegetables, sedentary lifestyle, and a lower compliance to cancer screening compared with reference population. Our initiative attracted groups at higher risk, such as foreigners, men and people aged from 50 to 69. The proportion of newly diagnosed or uncontrolled disease exceeded 40% of participants for both hypertension and hypercholesterolemia (7% for diabetes). Adherence rate to counselling was 99.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

The MHC was effective in attracting hard-to-reach groups and individuals who may have otherwise gone undiagnosed. MHCs can play a complementary role also in universal coverage health systems, raising self-awareness of unreached population and making access to primary health care easier.

The Appetite-Suppressant and GLP-1-Stimulating Effects of Whey Proteins in Obese Subjects are Associated with Increased Circulating Levels of Specific Amino Acids

The satiating effect of whey proteins depends upon their unique amino acid composition because there is no difference when comparing whey proteins or a mix of amino acids mimicking the amino acid composition of whey proteins. The specific amino acids underlying the satiating effect of whey proteins have not been investigated to date.

AIMS AND METHODS

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the appetite-suppressant effect of an isocaloric drink containing whey proteins or maltodextrins on appetite (satiety/hunger measured by a visual analogue scale or VAS), anorexigenic gastrointestinal peptides (circulating levels of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY)) and amino acids (circulating levels of single, total [TAA] and branched-chain amino acids [BCAA]) in a cohort of obese female subjects (n = 8; age: 18.4 ± 3.1 years; body mass index, BMI: 39.2 ± 4.6 kg/m²).

RESULTS

Each drink significantly increased satiety and decreased hunger, the effects being more evident with whey proteins than maltodextrins. Similarly, circulating levels of GLP-1, PYY and amino acids (TAA, BCAA and alanine, arginine, asparagine, citrulline, glutamine, hydroxyproline, isoleucine, histidine, leucine, lysine, methionine, ornithine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tyrosine, and valine) were significantly higher with whey proteins than maltodextrins. In subjects administered whey proteins (but not maltodextrins), isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, tyrosine, and valine were significantly correlated with hunger (negatively), satiety, and GLP-1 (positively).

CONCLUSIONS

Eight specific amino acids (isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, tyrosine, and valine) were implicated in the appetite-suppressant and GLP-1-stimulating effects of whey proteins, which may be mediated by their binding with nutrient-sensing receptors expressed by L cells within the gastrointestinal wall. The long-term satiating effect of whey proteins and the effectiveness of a supplementation with these amino acids (i.e., as a nutraceutical intervention) administered during body weight reduction programs need to be further investigated.

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

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.

Impact of a Three-Week in-Hospital Multidisciplinary Body Weight Reduction Program on Body Composition, Muscle Performance and Fatigue in a Pediatric Obese Population with or without Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a combination of cardiometabolic risk factors, frequently detected in obese children and adolescents. To date, few clinical studies have evaluated the effectiveness of multidisciplinary body weight reduction programs on body mass index, body composition, muscle performance and fatigue in pediatric obese subjects suffering from metabolic syndrome, which might represent a sub-population that is more difficult to be treated and worthy of more intensive interventions than a population less metabolically complicated. The aim of the present study was to compare the impact of a three-week in-hospital multidisciplinary integrated body weight reduction program (BWRP) on body mass index (BMI), body composition (particularly, fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM)), motor control (evaluated by one-leg standing balance (OLSB) test), muscle performance (evaluated by the stair climbing test (SCT)) and fatigue (evaluated by fatigue severity scale (FSS)) in a pediatric obese population with or without metabolic syndrome. A pediatric population of 548 obese subjects without metabolic syndrome (F/M = 312/236; age range: 8-18 years; BMI: 36.3 ± 6.7 kg/m2) and 96 obese subjects with metabolic syndrome (F/M = 53/43; age range: 9-18 years; BMI: 38.3 ± 6.9 kg/m2) was recruited. The BWRP significantly reduced BMI, FM (expressed as %), SCT time and FSS score, and increased OLSB time in all subgroups of obese subjects, independent of sex and metabolic syndrome, with preservation of FFM. No significant differences in |ΔBMI|, |ΔFM|, |ΔOLSB| or |ΔSCT| times and |ΔFSS| score were found when comparing subjects (males and females) with or without metabolic syndrome, apart from obese females without metabolic syndrome, who exhibited a lower weight loss and FM (expressed as %) reduction when compared to the corresponding male counterpart. In conclusion, the beneficial effects of a three-week BWRP on BMI, body composition, muscle performance and fatigue in a pediatric obese population were not found to be different in patients with or without metabolic syndrome, thus indicating that the more metabolically compromised patient is as responsive to a short-term BWRP as the patient without metabolic syndrome. More prolonged follow-up studies are, however, necessary in order to verify whether the adherence to the multidisciplinary recommendations at home and the long-term maintenance of the positive effects in the two subgroups of patients will remain similar or not.

'Falling off the radar' of public health: The case of uninsured Chinese patients in Vienna, Austria

In public health policy debates, the 2015-2016 refugee crisis made visible that even in European welfare states with (close to) universal health coverage there are specific vulnerable groups with highly limited access to health care. Among them is a population of so-called 'undocumented' or 'irregular' migrants who have no regular status of residence and falls off the radar of publicly funded health care services and thus from the public health surveillance systems. The aim of our study is to provide the first-of-its-kind evidence on the characteristics, health problems and health care needs of one such vulnerable group in Austria - Chinese migrants residing in Vienna without a regular status. Medical records of 74 uninsured assumingly undocumented Chinese patients were analysed. The data was provided by a Non-governmental organisation (NGO) which delivers primary care to uninsured people in Vienna. The most frequently diagnosed health problems clustered around cardiovascular and metabolic-related diseases (hypertension and diabetics) and there was a high burden of multiple chorionic non-communicable diseases. Further efforts and resources are needed for collecting more data in a systematic way. A trusting relationship between science and practice and a cooperative relationship between and among the government agencies and NGOs are essential for evidence-based public health policy making.

Health of undocumented migrants in primary care in Switzerland

Background

Undocumented migrants endure adverse living conditions while facing barriers to access healthcare. Evidence is lacking regarding their healthcare needs, notably in regards to chronic diseases. Our goal was to investigate health conditions in undocumented migrants attended in primary care setting.

Methods

This study was conducted at the primary care outpatient clinic, Geneva University Hospitals, Switzerland. We retrospectively recorded and coded all medical conditions of a random sample of 731 undocumented migrants using the International Classification of Primary Care, 2nd version (ICPC-2). We dichotomized conditions as chronic or non-chronic and considered multimorbidity in the presence of three or more chronic conditions.

Results

Participants originated from 72 countries and were mainly female (65.5%) with a mean age of 42.4 (standard deviation [SD]: 11.4) years. They presented a mean of 2.9 (SD: 2.1; range: 1–17) health conditions. In multivariable analysis, the number of conditions was associated with female gender (p = 0.011) and older age (p <0.001), but not with origin (p = 0.373). The body systems most frequently affected were endocrine, metabolic and nutritional (n = 386; 18.4%), musculoskeletal (n = 308, 14.7%) and digestive (n = 266, 12.8%). Hypertension (17.9%; 95% CI: 15.2%, 29.9%), obesity or overweight (16%; 95% CI: 13.4%, 18.9%) and gastric problems (14.1%; 95% CI: 11.6%, 16.8%) were most prevalent. Overall, 71.8% (95% CI: 68.5%, 75%) participants had at least one chronic condition while 20% (95% CI: 17.2%, 23.1%) had three or more. In multivariable analysis, age (p <0.001) was the only predictor of presenting at least one or three or more chronic conditions.

Conclusions

Undocumented migrants present multiple health problems in primary care settings and bear an important burden of chronic diseases. The extent of multimorbidity highlights the need to provide and facilitate the access to comprehensive and long-term primary healthcare services.

Gender and age related differences in the use of medicines for chronic diseases among undocumented migrants

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate gender-related differences in the use of drugs for chronic diseases in undocumented migrants.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyzed the databases of two charitable organizations providing medical help and medicines to undocumented migrants. Data were available for 9,822 patients in the period 2014–2016. The authors grouped medicines according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification. We considered the ATC group as an indicator of a group of diseases.

Findings

Both males and females needed medicines for chronic diseases in a comparable manner. When we analyzed the age distribution, The authors noticed that males showed a tendency to begin to be affected at an earlier age; however, this cumulative difference was not statistically significant. But when we looked at six groups of drugs separately (cardiovascular, respiratory, anti-thrombotic, neurologic, psychiatric, anti-diabetic), the authors found that females always needed drugs for chronic diseases at a later age, always with a significant difference (p<0.0001 for cardiovascular, antithrombotic, antidiabetic and psychoactive drugs; p<0.002 for neurologic products; p<0.04 for drugs used in chronic respiratory conditions).

Research limitations/implications

This is a retrospective study based on the analysis of existing databases, but the peculiar features of this population (undocumented migrants) do not allow at the moment controlled studies.

Practical implications

Our observations could be important when planning public health strategies, especially in the field of prevention.

Originality/value

This is the first report of gender differences in the use of medicines for chronic diseases within a large sample of undocumented migrants.

Bibliometric analysis of global migration health research in peer-reviewed literature (2000-2016)

BACKGROUND

The health of migrants has become an important issue in global health and foreign policy. Assessing the current status of research activity and identifying gaps in global migration health (GMH) is an important step in mapping the evidence-base and on advocating health needs of migrants and mobile populations. The aim of this study was to analyze globally published peer-reviewed literature in GMH.

METHODS

A bibliometric analysis methodology was used. The Scopus database was used to retrieve documents in peer-reviewed journals in GMH for the study period from 2000 to 2016. A group of experts in GMH developed the needed keywords and validated the final search strategy.

RESULTS

The number of retrieved documents was 21,457. Approximately one third (6878; 32.1%) of the retrieved documents were published in the last three years of the study period. In total, 5451 (25.4%) documents were about refugees and asylum seekers, while 1328 (6.2%) were about migrant workers, 440 (2.1%) were about international students, 679 (3.2%) were about victims of human trafficking/smuggling, 26 (0.1%) were about patients' mobility across international borders, and the remaining documents were about unspecified categories of migrants. The majority of the retrieved documents (10,086; 47.0%) were in psychosocial and mental health domain, while 2945 (13.7%) documents were in infectious diseases, 6819 (31.8%) documents were in health policy and systems, 2759 (12.8%) documents were in maternal and reproductive health, and 1918 (8.9%) were in non-communicable diseases. The contribution of authors and institutions in Asian countries, Latin America, Africa, Middle East, and Eastern European countries was low. Literature in GMH represents the perspectives of high-income migrant destination countries.

CONCLUSION

Our heat map of research output shows that despite the ever-growing prominence of human mobility across the globe, and Sustainable Development Goals of leaving no one behind, research output on migrants' health is not consistent with the global migration pattern. A stronger evidence base is needed to enable authorities to make evidence-informed decisions on migration health policy and practice. Research collaboration and networks should be encouraged to prioritize research in GMH.

Psychotropic drugs prescription in undocumented migrants and indigent natives in Italy

To evaluate psychotropic drug use in undocumented migrants and natives in the same conditions of poverty. We studied drug dispensation by a nongovernmental organization during the year 2014. Drugs were identified according to the Anatomical Chemical Therapeutic classification and their quantity was measured in defined daily doses (DDD). We determined the percentage of patients taking at least one medicine with psychotropic activity in relation to the total number of patients receiving medicines of any class. We also calculated the individual DDD for psychoactive drugs. The percentage of natives receiving this type of medicine is significantly higher than that of undocumented migrants. Individual DDDs for each class of psychotropic drug are comparable in Italians and undocumented migrants and, among the latter, no difference was found in relation to ethnicity. Our findings describe for the first time the use of psychotropic medicines by undocumented migrants. On this basis, we hypothesize that poverty is more important than migration and ethnicity in generating the need for this type of pharmacological treatment. Both natives and undocumented migrants show poor adherence to treatment. This situation should be considered when programming health interventions in this field for the very poor and undocumented migrants.