AI Summary
This article discusses the challenges in diagnosing multiple sclerosis among individuals from minority ethnic and racial backgrounds in regions like North America, northern Europe, and Australasia, where diagnostic criteria have been primarily based on data from White populations. It emphasizes the importance of considering social determinants of health and understanding the unique clinical characteristics and social challenges faced by individuals from minority backgrounds to ensure equitable diagnostic approaches. This perspective highlights the need for inclusive and culturally sensitive practices in the differential diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
The differential diagnosis of suspected multiple sclerosis has been developed using data from North America, northern Europe, and Australasia, with a focus on White populations. People from minority ethnic and racial backgrounds in regions where prevalence of multiple sclerosis is high are more often negatively affected by social determinants of health, compared with White people in these regions. A better understanding of changing demographics, the clinical characteristics of people from minority ethnic or racial backgrounds, and the social challenges they face might facilitate equitable clinical approaches when considering a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.