The relationship between alexithymia, reading the mind in the eyes and cognition in patients with multiple sclerosis

•Alexithymia is more common in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) than in the normal population.•Alexithymia, depression and cognitive impairment affect theory of mind in PwMS.•Social cognitive impairment should also be evaluated in the follow-up of PwMS.•Alexithymia is associated with quality of life, depression and anxiety.