A4 A FRAMEWORK TO STUDY INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE AMONG INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND PRELIMINARY RESULTS FROM SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA

BackgroundInflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a chronic condition with significant life-threatening disease-related complications and reductions in quality of life if left untreated. Despite available research about IBD in the general population, there is limited-to-no evidence about IBD among Indigenous peoples in Canada and around the world.AimsWe aimed to define a collaborative framework, estimate the prevalence and incidence rates of IBD among First Nations in Saskatchewan, Canada, and explore perceptions of IBD among Indigenous peoples in the province.MethodsThis study began when Indigenous patients shared their health experiences with IBD with research team members. An interdisciplinary research team was formed including Indigenous patient and family advocates (IPFAs, Indigenous patients living with IBD and parents of an Indigenous person with IBD), an IBD gastroenterologist …