Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a potentially disabling disease where the immune system attacks myelin in the central nervous system (spinal cord, brain, and optic nerve).

髓鞘是围绕着神经纤维的脂肪物质。这种攻击会导致炎症，引发各种神经系统症状。

MScan affect anyone, but it historically was considered more prevalent among white females. Some newer research is challenging the assumptions that other groups are less affected.

尽管这种疾病已经知道appear in all racial and ethnic groups, it often presents itself differently in people of color, sometimes complicating diagnosis and treatment.

MS导致一系列身体和情绪症状，包括：

  • 疲劳
  • 麻木或刺痛
  • vision problems
  • 头晕
  • cognitive changes
  • 痛
  • depression
  • speech problems
  • seizures
  • weakness

But while these common symptoms affect most people with MS, some groups of people — more specifically people of color — can experience more severe or localized forms of the disease.

在a2016年研究, researchers sought to compare patients who were asked to self-identify as African American, Hispanic American, or Caucasian American. They found that on a scale from 0 to 10, the MS severity score for African American and Hispanic American patients was higher than that of Caucasian American patients.

This echoes prior2010年的研究that observed African American patients had higher scores on a severity scale than white American patients, even when adjusting for factors like age, gender, and treatment. This could possibly lead to more motor impairment, fatigue, and other debilitating symptoms.

其他研究 notes that African Americans are also more likely to have frequent relapses and faster progression of the disease, putting them at increased risk for disability.

Similarly, a2018年的研究在哪些患者被要求自我识别，因为非洲裔美国或高加索美国人发现脑组织中的萎缩发生在非洲裔以外的母语。这是脑细胞的逐渐丧失。

根据这项研究，非洲裔美国人以每年0.9％的速度失去了灰色大脑，每年的白细胞物质为0.7％。

另一方面，高加索美国人（那些拥有自我识别的北欧祖先的人）分别每年损失0.5％和0.3％的灰白色大脑物质。

African Americans with MS also experience more balance, coordination, and walking problems, compared with other populations.

But symptoms aren’t only different for African Americans, though. It’s also different for other persons of color, such as Asian Americans or Hispanic Americans.

Like African Americans, Hispanic Americans aremore likely体验严重的疾病进展。

Additionally, some research on phenotypes indicates those with African or 亚洲 ancestry are more likely to have a type of MS known as opticospinal.

This is when the disease specifically affects the optic nerves and spinal cord. This can trigger vision problems, as well as problems with mobility.

症状有差异是否有差异？

The reason for differences in symptoms isn’t known, but scientists believe genetics and environment might play a role.

One 理论 suggests a vitamin D link, as a deficiency has been linked to a higher risk for MS. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, and contributes to healthy immune function, bones, muscles, and heart.

Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet light is a natural source of vitamin D, yet it is harder for darker skin to absorb enough sunlight.

但是，虽然维生素D缺乏可能导致MS严重程度，但研究人员只发现了较高水平之间的联系，患有白色的疾病的风险较低。

No association has been found between African Americans, Asian Americans, or Hispanic Americans, prompting the need for follow-up studies.

症状发作是否有差异？

The difference doesn’t only apply to symptoms — it also applies to the onset of symptoms.

The average onset of MS symptoms is between the ages of 20 and 50.

But according to research ，症状可能在以后为非洲裔美国人而言，与非西班牙裔美国人相比，西班牙裔美国人（早些时候3至5年来）发展。

People of color also face challenges when seeking a diagnosis.

MS is historically believed to primarily affect those who are white. As a result, some people of color live with the disease and symptoms for years before getting an accurate diagnosis.

还存在误导的风险，这种情况导致类似症状，特别是那些更普遍的颜色。

MS有时误解的条件包括狼疮，关节炎，纤维肌痛和结节病。

According to theLupus Foundation of America, this disease is more prevalent in women of color, including those who are African American, Hispanic, Native American, or Asian.

此外，关节炎似乎影响了更多的人，而不是那些白人的人。

But an MS diagnosis doesn’t only take longer because it’s harder to identify.

它也需要更长时间，因为一些历史上边缘化的群体没有容易获得医疗保健。原因有所不同，但可能包括较低水平的健康保险范围，没有保险，或获得较低的护理质量。

It’s also important to recognize the limitations resulting from a lack of culturally competent care that is free from bias due to systemic racism.

这一切都可以导致测试不足和延迟诊断。

There’s no cure for MS, although treatment can slow disease progression and lead to remission. This is a period characterized by no symptoms.

First-line therapies for MS often include anti-inflammatory medication and immunosuppressant drugs to suppress the immune system, as well as disease-modifying drugs to stop inflammation. These help slow the progression of the disease.

But although these are standard courses of treatment for the disease, not all racial and ethnic groups respond the same to treatment. 过去的研究 已发现，对于一些非洲裔美国人来说，对疾病改性疗法的反应可能并不是有利。

原因是未知的，但一些研究人员指出了参与MS临床试验的非裔美国人数量的差异。

在 2015年的研究 it was observed that of the 60,000 articles related to MS available through PubMed in 2014, only 113 focused on African American and Black populations and only 23 on Hispanic American and Latino populations.

Currently, the level of participation by racial and ethnic minorities is still low, and understanding how treatments affect these individuals will require changes to enrollment practices and study recruitment.

治疗的质量或水平也会影响预后。不幸的是，由于在黑人和拉丁裔患者中获得高质量护理的系统障碍，疾病的进展也可能更糟糕。

在addition, some people of color might not have access to or be referred to a neurologist for MS treatment, and as a result, they might not receive access to as many disease-modifying therapies or alternative therapies, which could reduce disability.

多发性硬化是潜在的态度，终身攻击中枢神经系统。随着早期诊断和治疗，可以实现缓解并享受更高的生活质量。

但是，这种疾病可以不同地存在于颜色的人中。因此，重要的是要认识到MS可能会影响您，然后在疾病的第一个迹象中寻求能力的医疗。