Affiliation:
1. Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Master’s Degree in Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Foggia.
2. Public Health and Preventive Medicine, and Clinical Laboratory specialist, Hospital of Foggia.
Abstract
The rate of migration in Italy is constantly growing with immigrants
making up about 8.7% of the country's population and 4.8% in our
district (Foggia-Puglia, Southern Italy) (1). These are people who are
both already resident in Italy for one or more generations, and new
arrivals. Migrants in our geographical area mainly come from Eastern
Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle-East and South Asia. Such a high
number of immigrants result in a minor change in the epidemiological
pattern of diseases with an increase in certain infections, which are
imported or contracted in our country such as HIV, TB and viral
hepatitis (2), but can also include cancers, cardio-cerebrovascular and
autoimmune diseases (3-4). Other major health concerns mainly
include metabolic syndrome (5), as well as problems related to social
discomfort such as alcoholism (6). The incidences of hyperlipidaemia,
obesity and diabetes mellitus amongst immigrants, has increased
signicantly over the years due to social and economic progression,
and lifestyle changes, which in some cases are due to high-fat and highsugar diets and a lack of physical exercise (5-7). One of the most
common clinical problems is fatty liver (FL): a metabolic disorder
characterized by an excessive accumulation of triglycerides in
hepatocytes that can be induced by multiple causes. Chronic alcohol
intake is certainly one of the main causes (ALD), while another
important reason is NAFLD (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease),
which represents the hepatic component of metabolic syndrome (8).
FL has now become a major cause of liver related morbidity and
mortality, with an incidence of around 20-25% worldwide. It is present
mainly in native populations of developed countries, but its prevalence
is also increasing amongst immigrants (8-10).