Factors associated with subjective cognitive decline in older adults in pre‐clinical dementia phases

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundThe phase of subjective cognitive decline (SCD) has shown inconsistency as a preclinical phase of dementia. Recent data show a greater association with emotional disturbances than cognitive aspects. Our objective was to analyze the factors associated with SCD in preclinical phases of dementia. Recent data show a greater association with emotional disturbances than cognitive aspects. Our objective was to analyze the factors associated with SCD in preclinical phases of dementia.MethodWe evaluated 94 older adults (Mean Age = , SD = ) with the MMSE, the Pfeiffer functional scale and the Yesavage geriatric depression scale. We also used a neuropsychological protocol that included memory, executive function, visuospatial, fluency and processing speed tasks. We applied a principal component analysis (PCA) to reduce dimensionality. Finally, we use logistic regression considering SCD as a dichotomous variable and sociodemographic and components extracted as a predictor.ResultWe observed that 48.35% of the older adults manifest subjective cognitive decline. Regression analysis shows that emotion (OR=1.839, IC95%: 1.268‐2.667) and older age (OR=1.282, IC95%: 1.068‐1.538) are associated with higher risk for SCD. Surprisingly, higher scores in memory factor are associated with an increased risk for SCD (OR=3.243, IC95%: 1.163‐9.038). On the other hand, lexical access factor Is associated with reduced risk of SCD (OR=0.389; IC95%: 0.159‐0.953).ConclusionThe SCD phase seems to be more associated with emotional states than cognitive performance, even older adults with better memory scores shows more complains about their cognitive performance. We suggest to follow‐up the sample and use validated instruments of SCD, neuroimaging data or fluid markers, to deep in the construct and validate its relevance as clinical marker.