Neuropsychological awareness in pediatrics (NAP): Proposal of a new cognitive self-report questionnaire for pediatric multiple sclerosis patients.

Background: Self-perception of cognitive functioning in pediatric MS (pedMS) needs to be evaluated with specific questionnaires, currently lacking. This study aimed to develop a self-reportwhich investigates cognitive status in pedMS.

Methods: Twenty-seven pedMS patients (mean age±standard deviation=15 years±1.5 year; female/male=2:1) and their parents, completed a questionnaire called "Neuropsychological Awareness in Pediatrics - Patient, and Neuropsychological Awareness in Pediatrics - Caregiver" (NAP-P and NAP-C, respectively). Patients underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment and completed self-reports on quality of life (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, Peds-QL), fatigue (Multidimensional Fatigue Scale, Peds-QL MFS), and mood disturbances (Children Depression Inventory, CDI-II).

Results: Significant positive correlations were observed between NAP-P and the Trial Making Test-B (ρ = 0.470, p ˂ 0.05). Both NAP-P and NAP-C correlated with CDI-II (ρ = 0.776, p < 0.001; ρ = 0.577, p < 0.01, respectively), and NAP-C correlated with disease duration (ρ = 0.472, p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Our pilot study suggests that NAP is a promising tool for a more comprehensive evaluation of cognitive functioning in pedMS, and is worthy of further investigation.