Objective physical function declines in the absence of subjective physical complaints among patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairments and mild alzheimer's disease.

Abstract

To examine the extent to which patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) or Alzheimer's disease (AD) perceive their own physical decline. This study included 4450 outpatients (1008 normal cognition [NC], 1605 aMCI, and 1837 mild AD) who attended an initial visit to a memory clinic between July 2010 and June 2021. Their physical function was assessed by the Timed Up and Go test, one-leg standing test, and grip strength. For physical complaints, data were obtained on reports of fear of falling and dizziness or staggering. Logistic regression analysis was performed to compare the patients' physical function and complaints for each stage of NC, aMCI, and mild AD. Objective physical function declined from aMCI and the mild AD stage, but subjective physical complaints decreased by 20-50% in aMCI and 40-60% in mild AD compared with the NC group. As objective physical functional declined from the aMCI stage onward, subjective physical complaints decreased. This suggests a need for objective assessment of physical function in aMCI and mild AD patients even when they have no physical complaints in the clinical setting.