[Psychosocial factors and cognitive performance in multiple sclerosis: gender differences].

Introduction: Being a woman increases the risk of developing multiple sclerosis, an illness where biopsychosocial factors (psychological stress, perceived social support, psychological well-being, coping strategies) may have a clinical impact.

Aims: To assess how stress management is affected in remitting-relapsing multiple sclerosis and to analyze gender differences both in terms of stress management and patients' cognitive performance.

Patients And Methods: 42 patients were neuropsychologically evaluated with the Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests, four psychosocial questionnaires and Beck's Depression Inventory.