Nathoo Nabeela, Clark Wayne I, Robinson Rheanna, Jarvis Scott, Balcom Erin F, Kung Janice Y, Smyth Penelope
Department of Medicine (Neurology), University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Can J Neurol Sci. 2025 Mar 4:1-6. doi: 10.1017/cjn.2025.42.
Indigenous Peoples in Canada are comprised of First Nations, Inuit and Métis and are the youngest and fastest growing population in the country. However, there is limited knowledge of how they are affected by multiple sclerosis (MS), the most common nontraumatic neurological disease of young adults, with Canada having one of the highest prevalences in the world. In this narrative review, we outline the limited studies conducted with Indigenous Peoples living with MS in Canada and the gaps in the literature. From the limited data we have, the prevalence of MS in Indigenous Peoples is lower, but the disease appears to be more aggressive. Given the dearth of Canadian data, we explore the worldwide MS studies of Indigenous populations. Lastly, we explore ways in which we can improve our understanding of MS among Indigenous Peoples in Canada, which entails building trust and meaningful relationships with these communities and acknowledging past and ongoing injustices. Furthermore, healthcare professionals conducting research with Indigenous Peoples should undergo training in cultural safety and data sovereignty, including principles of ownership, control, access and possession to have greater engagement with Indigenous communities to conduct more relevant research. With joint efforts between healthcare professionals and Indigenous communities, the scientific research community can be positioned to conduct better, more appropriate and desperately needed research, ultimately with improvements in the delivery of care to Indigenous Peoples living with MS in Canada.
加拿大的原住民由第一民族、因纽特人和梅蒂斯人组成，是该国最年轻且增长最快的人口群体。然而，对于他们如何受到多发性硬化症（MS）影响的了解有限，多发性硬化症是年轻成年人中最常见的非创伤性神经疾病，加拿大是世界上患病率最高的国家之一。在这篇叙述性综述中，我们概述了针对加拿大患有MS的原住民开展的有限研究以及文献中的空白。根据我们所掌握的有限数据，原住民中MS的患病率较低，但该疾病似乎更具侵袭性。鉴于加拿大数据匮乏，我们探讨了全球范围内针对原住民群体的MS研究。最后，我们探讨了如何增进我们对加拿大原住民中MS的了解，这需要与这些社区建立信任和有意义的关系，并承认过去和持续存在的不公正现象。此外，与原住民开展研究的医疗保健专业人员应接受文化安全和数据主权方面的培训，包括所有权、控制权、获取权和拥有权等原则，以便更好地与原住民社区合作开展更具相关性的研究。通过医疗保健专业人员和原住民社区的共同努力，科研界能够开展更好、更恰当且迫切需要的研究，最终改善对加拿大患有MS的原住民的护理服务。
