Characterizing the diversity of the multiple sclerosis population in Canada: A scoping review

This scoping review aimed to identify existing information and gaps in knowledge regarding the diversity characteristics of the multiple sclerosis (MS) population in Canada.

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cumulated Index in Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), SCOPUS and ProQuest's global dataset of theses and dissertations from 2010 to January 12, 2024. Data sources were case reports/series, cohort studies, case-control studies, analytical cross-sectional studies, randomized clinical trials, qualitative, mixed methods, participatory studies and systematic reviews conducted in Canada, published in English or French, that included participants with clinically isolated syndrome or MS. Sample characteristics were extracted applying Cochrane's PROGRESS-Plus framework.

We included 259 studies, most often studying disease-modifying therapy (24.3%) and access to care (20.9%). Among primary data collection studies 40% used one recruitment strategy, usually MS Clinics and MS Canada. Age (92.7%) and sex (86.9%) were reported most often, ≤10% of studies reported race or ethnicity; religion, sexual orientation and language were not reported.

We lack an understanding of characteristics of people living with MS in Canada relevant to health equity. Existing research has been insufficiently inclusive. Better reporting of diversity characteristics is needed, along with specific efforts to recruit and retain more diverse samples.