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Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
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Advancing Care and Outcomes for African American Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Annette F Okai1, Annette M Howard2, Mitzi J Williams2

  • 1From the North Texas Institute of Neurology and Headache (A.F.O.), Plano; Multiple Sclerosis Institute of Texas (A.M.H.), Houston; Joi Life Wellness Multiple Sclerosis Neurology Center (M.J.W.), Smyrna, GA; Providence Brain and Spine Institute (J.D.B., C.C., T.L.S., E.B., S.L.C.), Portland, OR; and Alphabet Health (G.J.), New York. aokaimd@outlook.com.

Neurology
|April 26, 2022
PubMed

Insights

African Americans with multiple sclerosis (MS) face health disparities, including underdiagnosis and worse outcomes. New research and registries aim to improve understanding and care for this population.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Health Disparities Research
  • Clinical Epidemiology

Background:

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) is often underdiagnosed and undertreated in African Americans.
  • Evidence indicates African Americans with MS experience distinct clinical presentations, higher disease burden, and poorer long-term outcomes compared to White individuals.
  • Limited clinical trial data for African Americans hinders understanding of MS natural history, prognosis, and treatment response in this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the health disparities in multiple sclerosis (MS) experienced by African Americans.
  • To emphasize the need for increased knowledge regarding MS manifestations in African Americans.
  • To introduce the National African Americans with Multiple Sclerosis Registry as a platform to advance care and address disparities.

Main Methods:

  • This study is a narrative review.
  • It synthesizes existing evidence on MS in African Americans.
  • It describes the goals of a new registry.

Main Results:

  • African Americans with MS face significant health disparities.
  • There is a critical lack of generalizable data on MS in this population.
  • A new registry has been established to address these gaps.

Conclusions:

  • Addressing health disparities in African Americans with MS is crucial.
  • Further research and data collection, such as through the new registry, are essential to improve understanding and outcomes.
  • Enhanced knowledge of MS in African Americans will facilitate more equitable and effective care.

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