Regions: Dehcho Region
Tags: health, genetics, health care development, First Nations
| Principal Investigator: | Pimstone, Simon Neil (1) |
| Licence Number: | 12944 |
| Organization: | University of British Columbia |
| Licensed Year(s): |
1997
|
| Issued: | Sep 05, 1997 |
| Project Team: | Michael R. Hayden, Walter Maksymowych and Marianne McCashin |
Objective(s): To determine the underlying cause of arthritis in the Northwest Territories. Arthritis (or arthritis-like disorders) are observed to occur frequently in First Nations communities in the NWT. The underlying cause for this is as yet unknown. Identifying the genetic basis of a disease like arthritis, scientists need to study communities where the disease occurs frequently. By doing this, genetic markers obtained from a simply blood test, can be used to link a particular gene with the disease.
Project Description: This study is to determine the underlying cause of arthritis in the NWT. It will be done in two phases. Phase 1: Pilot study which will take approximately 2-5 days. A rheumatologist and a geneticist will travel to Fort Providence to set up a clinic for all patients in the community who have been treated previously for arthritis. On each patient, an examination, blood test and basic hip/lower back X-rays will be taken. This pilot study is necessary to determine the precise nature of the arthritis in Ft. Providence. Phase 2: Detailed study-once the form of arthritis is well understood, a larger community study will be planned. This study will include the assessment of family members of these affected individuals examined in Phase 1. This assessment will include a brief examination, blood test and x-ray test on all available family members. An x-ray machine in the Fort Providence Health Centre will be used and all other equipment will be brought in by the investigators. Identifying the genetic basis for these conditions, may assist in the development of new improved forms of therapy for arthritis which remains in many cases, a crippling condition.
