Special Issue on Prevention and Treatment of Medical Diseases in Vulnerable Populations

Several specific groups within the world’s population have shown that they are particularly vulnerable to quality health care problems, differential experiences in the health system or increased burden of ill health. Among others, these groups include the poor, the elderly, women, children, those living with mental or physical disabilities, racial and ethnic minorities, and migrants. The vulnerability that these groups experience can usually be attributed to one or a combination of the following factors: economic status, geographical location, health status, or ability to communicate. This Special Issue aimed to collect and present research on medical diseases occurring in different groups of vulnerable people to improve clinical decision making and care of medical disorders that affect this target population. Fourteen papers (nine research papers and five review papers) from various fields concerning medical diseases, including ocular, oral, otolaryngologic, gastrointestinal disease, muscular dystrophy, knee laxity, osteoporosis and fibromyalgia, are published in this Special Issue. In addition, the results of the program to screen vulnerable populations for general health care status (one original article) or diseases in the head neck district (three papers) within the PROTECT project (Patologie del distRettO TEsta-Collo nei migranTi. Dalla formazione degli operatori alla diagnosi precoce e presa in carico del paziente: Network Odontoiatrico • Oftalmologico • Otorinolaringoiatrico • Maxillo-Facciale), funded by the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund (FAMI) 2014–2020 of the Ministry of the Interior and co-financed by the European Union are are reported in this Special Issue. Palaia et al. [1] reported that dental pathologies (especially untreated carious lesions or malocclusions) in migrants are unfortunately widespread and often neglected, highlighting the importance of prevention and early intervention. Bruscolini et al. [2] reported that about 50% of migrants carried out their first ophthalmological visit during the screening PROTECT project and emphasize the crucial role of early diagnosis of preventable visual impairment disease. Ralli et al. [3] reported that unilateral hearing loss was the most common otolaryngological condition and that snoring was the most frequent symptom reported during the PROTECT project, underlining the importance of early care to improve the quality of life of this disadvantaged population. Armentano et al. [4] conducted an observational study in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2, emphasizing the role of ocular manifestations in the early diagnosis of this rare disease. Comberiati et al. [5] described the ocular motility alterations in patients with Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome, suggesting the usefulness of a complete orthoptic evaluation in this rare disease. Gutierrez et al. [6] explored adherence to physical exercise in patients with fibromyalgia, focusing on the relationship between perceived and real execution of walking. Pergolini et al. [7] described oral adverse events in thirteen patients treated with different anti-programmed drugs (PD-1) and analyzed a possible correlation between the toxic manifestations of mucosal and dermatological to better manage these innovative anti-tumor therapies. Ahmad et al. [8] developed an Arabic word-in-noise screening tool and described its ability to early diagnose hearing deficits, especially in vulnerable populations. Iacoella et al. [9] screened more than four hundred individuals in disadvantaged neighbourhoods of Rome and reported the general low health conditions of this setting, encouraging a more efficient screening strategy. Dittrich et al. [10] revised and discussed the classification and diagnostic approach of osteoporosis in children with chronic diseases to improve the management of this vulnerable population. Iannucci et al. [11] analyzed the features and the clinical approach to uveitic glaucoma in childhood and reviewed the treatments available in the pediatric population. Sforza et al. [12] investigated and summarized the impact of blenderized tube feeding in comparison with conventional artificial tube feeding on improving gastrointestinal symptoms in children and adults and stressed the need of further experimental evidence on this topic. Cavallina et al. [13] collected and summarized the current knowledge of motor function in pediatric patients with congenital muscular dystrophies and discussed the tools used to evaluate it, stressing the need for a more accurate protocol. Moriceau et al. [14] investigated the role of the hormonal cycle in knee laxity and the risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury and reported, based on the literature, that there is no correlation between the menstrual cycle and the risk of ACL injury despite the menstrual cycle, due to hormonal fluctuation, seems to affect the laxity of the knee.

Although submissions to this Special Issue have been closed, it is essential to continue to address global challenges, such as promoting levels of well-being, especially in fragile and vulnerable populations, through accessible screening programmes and tailored protocols.