Evaluation of functionality after three years of subjective cognitive complaint in the elderly

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundSubjective cognitive decline (SCD) is defined as the self‐reported experience of cognitive decline in subjects with normal performance on neuropsychological tests, and expectedly with preserved functionality. This condition is associated with a higher risk for developing objective cognitive decline and dementia. The objective of this study is to carry out a descriptive analysis of the B‐ADL scale in elders 24 to 48 months after SCD identification.MethodForty‐three participants aged 60 years and over without clinically relevant depressive symptoms (CESD<16) and without cognitive impairment (MMSE≥14) were randomly selected from a group of users of basic health units in the city of São Paulo. The Clinical Memory Inventory and a questionnaire about perceived memory problems (i.e.: “have you had memory problems lately?”) were applied and 24 to 48 months later an informant answered the Bayer Activities of Daily Living Scale (B‐ADL).ResultThe mean age of the total sample was 70.7 years. There were 22 women, 45.5% of whom had SCD, and 21 men, 23.8% of whom had SCD. The group with SCD had a mean age of 70.1 years, while in the group without SCD the mean age was 71 years. The group without SCD had a mean B‐ADL score of 1.26 and the group with SCD had 1.32 . Eighteen subjects (41.9%) did not score in B‐ADL. Out of these, 12 (66,6%) were elderly without SCD while 6 (33,3%) had SCD.ConclusionAfter three years of identification, the SCD group showed no functional impairment. Other studies with larger samples may help elucidate the relationship between subjective cognitive decline and functionality.