Mental Health of Migrant Elders--the Islington Study

Background: In the UK, 6% of those aged 65 years and over were born abroad, most of whom now live in inner-city areas. It has been suggested that ethnic elders are particularly vulnerable to mental illness.

Aims: To compare the prevalence of dementia and depression in older migrants with those born in the UK.

Method: A cross-sectional community study of 1085 people aged 65 years or older in an inner-London borough.

Results: Compared with those born in the UK, the prevalence of dementia was raised in African-Caribbeans (17.3%, relative risk=1.72, Cl=1.06-2.81) and lower for the Irish-born (3.6%, relative risk=0.36, Cl=0.17-0.87). All those of African-Caribbean country of birth were significantly younger (P=0.000) but no more likely to be taking antihypertensive drugs. They were no more likely to report having cardiovascular problems but had increased rates of diabetes (P<0.0000). The overall prevalence of depression was 18.3% (95% Cl=16.1-20.7). The highest prevalence rate was found among those born in Greece and Turkey (27.2%, Cl=17.9-39.6). Migration per se does not appear to be a risk for depression and dementia in this population.

Conclusions: The excess of dementia may be of vascular aetiology. There is the potential for primary or secondary prevention.