A - 132 Perceptions of Functional Competency in Persons with Subjective Memory Complaints, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Early Dementia of the Alzheimer’s Type

Abstract

Abstract Objective This study evaluated whether persons with Subject Memory Complaints (SMC) perceive their overall functional abilities differently than persons with known memory impairments. We predicted SMC persons would describe themselves as less functionally competent compared to persons with objective memory impairments while relatives would perceive them as more functionally competent than what they report. Method As a part of an ongoing study evaluating cognitive and motor correlates of SMC, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), and early Alzheimer’s disease (ad), 10 persons with SMC, 14 with MCI, and 11 with early ad completed the Patient Competency Rating Scale (PCRS). A family member or significant other completed the Patient Competency Rating Scale-Relative Form. Subjects were matched on age, education, and sex. Results Self-reported competency varied across groups (p < 0.05), with the SMC group reporting less competency than the MCI group but at a level of competency similar to the ad group. Relatives’ ratings were also significantly different across groups (p < 0.05). SMC persons were considered by relatives as more functionally competent than the MCI and ad groups. Discrepancy scores between the PCRS and PCRS-R differed across groups (p < 0.05). SMC persons underestimated their functional abilities while persons with MCI and ad overestimated their abilities. Conclusion The findings support the predictions and are compatible with reports in the literature. The PCRS and PCRS-R provide clinically relevant information regarding both a person’s functional abilities in everyday life (according to a relative) while also detecting potential disturbances in self-awareness. SMC patients appear to overstate their functional limitations in many domains in addition to memory.