Background During the current COVID-19 pandemic there are studies that have suggested a negative impact of the pandemic on the mental health of patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). In this sense, several factors may be related to the increase in experiences of anxiety and depression in PwMS during the current pandemic. Objective In this study we first explored the reactions of anxiety, depression and fear to COVID-19 in a group of PwMS that belong to the Ibero-American region. Besides, we explored whether having been positive to COVID-19, fear of COVID-19, the obstacles to attend medical appointments during the outbreak and subjective experience of MS progression, could predict the anxiety and depression reactions in our PwMS sample. Materials and methods : An online cross-sectional survey was conducted on 202 MS patients from six countries (Argentina, Mexico, Spain, Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Cuba). For comparisons between variables an independent-samples t-test and one-way analysis of variance were used. Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate the effects of potential predictor variables over emotional reactions. Results Our results showed that PwMS who were positive for COVID-19 reported higher levels of fear of COVID-19 (p<.001) and also higher levels of anxiety (p<.001) compared to non-positive patients. Those patients who had difficulties attending their medical appointments during the outbreak showed higher levels of depression (p=.03) and anxiety (p=.019). Levels of anxiety (p<.001) and depression (p=.006) were also higher among patients with the subjective experience of MS disease progression. The reactions of fear of COVID-19, having been positive to COVID-19, problems attending medical appointments, and subjective experience of MS disease progression showed a high association with the negative impact of the pandemic on mental health of PwMS. Conclusions Our results show that the situation generated by the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the mental health of PwMS in our sample. Our results also alert to the importance of offering psychological care to patients with multiple sclerosis during the current outbreak, regardless of whether they have been positive for COVID-19.

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The impact of subjective cognitive concerns (SCCs) on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) has practically not been studied. In this study the relationship between subjective cognitive concerns and quality of life in PwMS was explored. Furthermore, to explore whether psychological resilience acts as a mediator in the relationship between SCCs and QoL. A total of 214 PwMS were surveyed using the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Inventory, the Multiple Sclerosis Neuropsychological Questionnaire (MSNQ) and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Our results showed that, SCCs is a predictor of levels of perceived QoL in PwMS. Patients who report higher scores on the MSNQ also showed a worse quality of life in global terms. The results also showed that resilience mediates the relationship between SCCs and QoL, both for the physical dimension of quality of life (physical health composite) and for the mental health dimension (mental health composite). In our patients, as resilience levels increase, the negative impact of SCCs on QoL decreases. Considering that resilience is a modifiable protective factor, the implementation of interventions aimed at enhancing resilience can have a favorable impact on the psychological well-being and quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis.

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The goal of this study was to examine the mediating role of psychological resilience in the relationship between fear of relapse and quality of life in a sample of patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). This cross-sectional study was developed online. A total of 240 PwMS were surveyed using the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life inventory, the Fear of Relapse Scale and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. To perform the mediation analysis PROCESS macro was used. In our study, fear of relapse was a predictor of psychological resilience and quality of life, and psychological resilience was a predictor of quality of life. Finally, psychological resilience showed a mediating role in the relationship between fear of relapse and quality of life. Considering that resilience is a modifiable variable, the implementation of interventions aimed at enhancing resilience can have a favorable impact on the psychological well-being and quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis.