Evaluation of social cognition in multiple sclerosis patients

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, immune-mediated disease that affects young adults and is one of the major causes of non-traumatic disability. Research on cognitive function in MS has focused over the past two decades, while interest in social cognition is much more recent. It has been reported that social cognitive deficits in MS are comparable to other neurocognitive deficits in MS. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the social cognition ability of individuals diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) and to investigate its relationship with clinical course features. The study included 42 healthy controls and 79 patients with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) is below 4 who were followed up with the diagnosis of RRMS in the demyelinating diseases outpatient clinic. The groups were similar in terms of age, gender, and educational attainment. Individuals with depressive mood were excluded from the study in both groups. Socio-demographic and Clinical Data Form, Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), Benton Face Recognition Test (BFRT), Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), Dokuz Eylül Theory of Mind Scale (DEZİKÖ), Two-Way Social Support Scale (2TWSS) were applied to the groups. The RRMS group also underwent Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25FW) and Nine-Hole PEG Test (9-DPT). The RRMS group exhibited worse cognitive and social cognitive performance compared to healthy controls. In addition, it was found that the perception of social support of the RRMS group was lower than the controls. Cognitive and social cognitive functions were positively correlated with education in both groups. Age was negatively correlated with cognitive and social cognitive functions only in the RRMS group. Social cognitive performance and SDMT were significantly correlated in both groups. Predictors of social cognition were SDMT, education, and age at diagnosis in regression analyses. There was no relationship between social cognition and sociodemographic data such as employment status, marital status, habits such as smoking, alcohol and exercise. Our findings show that there are impairments in social cognitive abilities in individuals with RRMS who are not depressed and have low disability, and these impairments are especially affected by education, general cognitive performance and age of diagnosis. There is a need for awareness among clinicians so that social cognitive impairment is not ignored when evaluating individuals with MS. Directing suitable individuals to social cognitive rehabilitation will positively affect the work, family and social life of the individual and will increase the quality of life. Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, Cognition, Social Cognition, Social Support