Impact of cognitive impairment on coping strategies in multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of cognitive impairment (CI) on coping strategies in multiple sclerosis (MS).


METHODS
Sixty-three patients (40 women, 55 relapsing-remitting and 8 secondary progressive, age 42.6+/-10.1 years, Expanded Disability Status Scale 2.2+/-1.7) were assessed using the Coping Orientation for Problem Experiences-New Italian version Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory and the Rao's Brief Repeatable Battery.


RESULTS
MS patients were less likely to use positive and problem-focused strategies, whereas avoiding strategies were adopted more frequently. Twenty-three (36.5%) cases were CI. We found no differences in the type of coping between CI and cognitively preserved patients. Scores on the Stroop test (beta=-0.91, p=0.04) and on the Word List Generation (beta=1.15, p=0.04) were associated with poorer coping strategies.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggests that cognitive functioning (in particular on sustained attention and aspects of executive function) must be considered in a comprehensive account of the factors contributing to successful coping in MS patients.
Goretti
Benedetta
B
Department of Neurology, University of Florence, Italy. begoret@tin.it
Portaccio
Emilio
E
Zipoli
Valentina
V
Hakiki
Bahia
B
Siracusa
Gianfranco
G
Sorbi
Sandro
S
Amato
Maria Pia
MP
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000145:classification; D018450:Disease Progression; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011340:Problem Solving; D011788:Quality of Life; D012008:Recurrence; D012944:Social Support; D013060:Speech; D057190:Stroop Test