Migrant care workers as protective factor against caregiver burden: results from a longitudinal analysis of the EUROFAMCARE study in Italy

Objective: The aim of the analysis is to assess the impact of privately employed migrant care workers (MCWs) on the burden of Italian family members who care for a disabled older person.

Methods: EUROFAMCARE is a one-year prospective survey carried out to provide evidence on the availability and use of support services by family carers of older people in Europe. In Italy, 990 family caregivers were enrolled and successful follow-ups were completed for 863 subjects. The survey also assessed the level of caregiver burden using the COPE index, which has three sub-sections: ‘Positive Value’ (PV), ‘Quality of Support’ (QS) and ‘Negative Impact’ (NI). We used the one-year change of the COPE-NI as dependent variable and we realised multilevel regression models to estimate the longitudinal predictors of caregivers’ burden increase.

Results: At a cross-sectional level, most burdened caregivers are those caring for a demented relative (COPE-NI = 13.6), with no educational title (14.5) and looking after their own spouses (15.1). Longitudinally those employing an MCW are significantly protected against burden increase (regression coefficient: ?1.52; p < 0.01) while those who cannot rely on the support of other family members are exposed to the risk of burden increase (0.991; p < 0.05). Other formal services do not have any protective effect.

Conclusion: Our study suggests that employing an MCW, rather than using formal services, is associated with a reduction of caregiving burden. Further research should assess whether the shift in care responsibilities to the MCWs also implies a transfer of care burden, and understand how these workers can be better supported by existing formal services.     

Ex vivo histological analysis of the thermal effects created by a 445-nm diode laser in oral soft tissue biopsy

The aim of this study was to evaluate, ex vivo, the histological effects of 445-nm diode laser (Eltech K-Laser srl, Treviso, Italy), during an oral soft ti     

Instrumental,clinical and subjective evaluation of the efficacy of a cosmetic treatment for home use

Background: In the last few years, there has been increasing demand for aesthetic procedures to improve the effects of skin aging.

Aim: To evaluate the anti-aging efficacy, tolerability and skin changes induced by the topical products containing hyaluronic acid, N-acetyl glucosamine and gamma-amino butyric acid through instrumental techniques, clinical and subjective evaluation.

Patients/Method: Twenty female enrolled applied a day and night cream after applying a serum, once week applied a mask, for 2 months. A clinical assessment of smoothness, expression wrinkles, fine wrinkles and measurements of the parameters using Reveal Imager, X-Rite, Corneometer, Dermalab, Moisture Meter EpiD were taken at day 0, 15, 30 and 60 of study period. A final assessment questionnaire was submitted.

Results: The products were accepted by all the volunteers. The hydration (Corneometer: T0 49.17 vs T60 61.11, average variation 24.28%) (Moisture Meter EpiD: T0 45.73 vs T60 61.10, average variation 33.60%), elasticity (Dermalab: T0 56.06 vs T60 62.78, average variation 11.98%) and lightening of the skin (X-Rite: T0 60.23 vs T60 63.36, average variation 5.26%) improved. All changes were statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The efficacy of the topical products is confirmed by subjective, clinical and instrumental assessment. This should be a routine approach in dermatologic practice.