Subjective Memory Complaints Scale Research Articles

Subjective Cognitive Decline and Frailty Trajectories and Influencing Factors in Japanese Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Longitudinal Study.

We studied frailty and subjective cognitive decline (SCD) trajectories in older Japanese adults and evaluated the influence of various factors on these trajectories. We analyzed data from 1157 non-demented adults aged 70 and above from 2013 to 2019. Frailty was assessed using the self-administered Kihon Checklist (KCL), a Japanese frailty index. SCD was evaluated using the questionnaire of the Subjective Memory Complaints scale. Through group-based joint trajectory models, we discerned three frailty trajectories: non-progressive (n = 775), moderate progressive (n = 312), and rapid progressive (n = 70); and three SCD trajectories: non-progressive (n = 302), moderate progressive (n = 625), and rapid progressive (n = 230). Individuals in the rapid progressive SCD trajectory had a 32.2% probability of also being in the rapid progressive frailty trajectory. In contrast, those in the non-progressive SCD trajectory had zero probability of being in the rapid progressive frailty trajectory. Both the rapid progressive frailty and SCD groups combined had a higher incidence of depressive symptoms and slow gait speed. Our results have found that frailty and SCD share a similar trajectory in Japanese older adults. Additionally, rapid progressive frailty and SCD were associated with the highest risk of depressive symptoms and slow gait speed. Thus, interventions targeting both frailty and cognitive decline should prioritize mental health enhancement and gait speed improvement.

Subjective cognitive complaints and migraine characteristics: A cross-sectional study.

Subjective cognitive complaints by patients with migraine have been associated with memory impairment. However, whether the severity of memory impairment relates to migraine characteristics, such as attack frequency and aura, remains undetermined. We investigated the relationship between subjective cognitive complaints and migraine characteristics. This cross-sectional study recruited 669 clinic outpatients from Taiwan. We stratified them by migraine frequency and the presence or absence of aura, and we controlled the data for confounding variables. We performed multivariable linear and logistic regressions to investigate whether different migraine frequencies are associated with subjective cognitive complaints, which were evaluated by the subjective memory complaints scale and the Ascertain Dementia 8 (AD8) questionnaire. Total subjective memory complaints scores tended to increase with the migraine attack frequency (P=.022) in patients with migraine with aura; similar results were obtained for AD8 scores in women with migraine with aura. Poor sleep quality was associated with a higher total subjective memory complaint (B=0.08, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.03-0.14) and AD8 (B=0.07, 95% CI=0.02-0.11) scores. In addition, more severe depression was associated with higher total subjective memory complaints and AD8 scores (B=0.05, 95% CI=0.02-0.09; B=0.08, 95% CI=0.05-0.11, respectively). Subjective cognitive complaints tend to increase with the frequency of migraines with aura, and this interrelation is substantially influenced by depression severity and sleep disturbances.

Can Subjective Memory Complaints Identify Aβ Positive and Aβ Negative Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment Patients?

The use of biomarkers, in particular amyloid-β (Aβ) changes, has allowed the possibility to identify patients with subjective memory complaints (SMCs) and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) who suffer from Alzheimer's disease (AD). Since it is unfeasible that all patients with aMCI could presently undergo biomarkers assessment, it would be important that SMCs might contribute to identify the aMCI patients who have AD amyloid pathology. To know whether aMCI patients with amyloid biomarkers (Aβ+) present greater SMCs as compared to those without amyloid biomarkers (Aβ-). Participants were selected from a cohort of nondemented patients with cognitive complaints and a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation, on the basis of 1) diagnosis of aMCI; 2) detailed assessment of memory difficulties with the SMC Scale; and 3) known amyloid status. The amyloid status was determined on the basis of either CSF Aβ1-42 concentration or amyloid PET imaging. Of the 176 patients with aMCI studied, 90 were Aβ+ and 86 were Aβ-. The two groups did not differ in terms of age, gender, and education. The SMC total score was not significantly different in the Aβ+ aMCI patients (9.48±4.18) when compared to the Aβ- aMCI patients (10.52±4.57). The Aβ+ aMCI patients had lower scores on the MMSE and memory/learning tests, but not on the Geriatric Depression Scale, when comparing to the Aβ- aMCI patients. Evaluating SMCs does not seem helpful to identify, among patients with aMCI, those who have AD.

Self perceived memory difficulties in medical students as another symptom of anxiety

Abstract The current study investigated memory issues among medical students and explored possible causes. Methods Fifty-nine medical students (age: 25.7 ± 2,5) in their last year filled out the following instruments: Beck Depression and Beck Anxiety inventories, Insomnia Severity Index, ASSIST and Subjective Memory Complaints Scale. Results Memory complaints were found in 71%, 54% recognized that anxiety was a negative factor for their performance, 10% presented suicidal ideation, and 64% reported insomnia. The average sleep hours was 6.4 ± 1.1 hours/day. The use of drugs in the last two months was alcohol: 93%, nicotine: 32%, cannabis: 27%, hypnotics: 17%. Spearman correlation analysis and logistic regression indicated that anxiety and sleep disturbances were associated with memory difficulties at the level of p Conclusions Memory complaints may represent a symptom of anxiety and are associated with insomnia.

Predictive ability of a simple subjective memory complaints scale for incident dementia: Evaluation of Japan's national checklist, the "Kihon Checklist".

Subjective memory complaints scales are expected to be useful for the prediction of future cognitive decline. In Japan, the "Kihon Checklist-Cognitive Function" (KCL-CF), which consists of three items, is used for primary screening of high-risk older adults. However, the predictive validity of the KCL-CF remains unknown. The aim of the present cohort study was to examine whether the KCL-CF can predict the incidence of dementia. Information on the KCL-CF score (0-3 points) was collected from community-dwelling older adults (≥65 years) through a questionnaire. Data on incident dementia were retrieved from the Long-term Care Insurance database. The Cox model and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were used. Among 13 974 participants, the 5.7-year rate of incident dementia was 8.8%. All KCL-CF items significantly predicted the risk of incident dementia even after adjustment for age and sex (P-trend < 0.0001). A higher KCL-CF score was associated with a higher risk of dementia; the age- and sex-adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) were 1.00 (reference) for a KCL-CF score of 0 points, 1.89 (1.65-2.15) for 1 point, 3.01 (2.59-3.50) for 2 points, and 6.20 (4.87-7.90) for 3 points (P-trend < 0.0001). A cut-off score of ≥1 points had a specificity of 65.1% and a sensitivity of 60.2%, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.65 (95% confidence interval 0.63-0.66). The KCL-CF was able to predict incident dementia. However, because a false-negativity rate of approximately 40% would be expected, the KCL-CF score alone might not be sufficient for screening of dementia incidence. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1300-1305.

DIFFERENCES IN QUANTITATIVE METHODS FOR MEASURING SUBJECTIVE COGNITIVE DECLINE: RESULTS FROM A PROSPECTIVE MEMORY CLINIC STUDY

Background Cognitive complaints occur frequently in elderly people and may be a risk factor for dementia and cognitive decline. Results from studies on subjective cognitive decline are difficult to compare due to variability in assessment methods, and little is known about how different methods influence reports of cognitive decline. Methods The Subjective Memory Complaints Scale (SMC) and The Memory Complaint Questionnaire (MAC-Q) were applied in 121 mixed memory clinic patients with mild cognitive symptoms (mean MMSE = 26.8, SD 2.7). The scales were applied independently and raters were blinded to results from the other scale. Scales were not used for diagnostic classification. Cognitive performances and depressive symptoms were also rated. We studied the association between the two measures and investigated the scales' relation to depressive symptoms, age, and cognitive status. Results SMC and MAC-Q were significantly associated (r = 0.44, N = 121, p = 0.015) and both scales had a wide range of scores. In this mixed cohort of patients, younger age was associated with higher SMC scores. There were no significant correlations between cognitive test performances and scales measuring subjective decline. Depression scores were significantly correlated to both scales measuring subjective decline. Linear regression models showed that age did not have a significant contribution to the variance in subjective memory beyond that of depressive symptoms. Conclusions Measures for subjective cognitive decline are not interchangeable when used in memory clinics and the application of different scales in previous studies is an important factor as to why studies show variability in the association between subjective cognitive decline and background data and/or clinical results. Careful consideration should be taken as to which questions are relevant and have validity when operationalizing subjective cognitive decline.

Prognosis of Early-Onset vs. Late-Onset Mild Cognitive Impairment: Comparison of Conversion Rates and Its Predictors.

Background: Despite having the same histopathological characteristics, early-onset and late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients show some distinct clinical and neuropsychological profiles. Early Onset Mild Cognitive Impairment (EOMCI) is a less characterized group. The aim of this study is to characterize MCI probably due to AD in terms of the clinical, genetic, Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers profile and conversion rate of EOMCI, compared to the late-onset form (LOMCI). Methods: 159 MCI patients were divided in two groups: 52 EOMCI (onset < 65 years) and 107 LOMCI (onset ≥ 65 years). We investigated differences in neuropsychological scores, clinical variables, ApoE genotype, CSF biomarkers (Aβ42, t-Tau and p-Tau) in both groups. Conversion was ascertained during follow-up. Results: EOMCI showed a longer duration of symptoms prior to the first evaluation (EOMCI = 4.57 vs. LOMCI = 3.31, p = 0.008) and scored higher on the subjective memory complaints scale (9.91 vs. 7.85, p = 0.008), but performed better in brief cognitive tests (27.81 vs. 26.51, p < 0.001 in Mini-Mental State Examination; 19.84 vs. 18.67, p = 0.005 in Montreal Cognitive Assessment) than LOMCI. ApoE genotype distribution and CSF biomarker profile were similar in both groups, as was the conversion risk. Lower Aβ42 (Hazard ratio (HR): 0.998, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = [0.996–1.000], p = 0.042), higher t-Tau levels (HR: 1.003, 95%CI = [1.000–1.005], p = 0.039) and higher scores in the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive (HR: 1.186, 95%CI = [1.083–1.299], p = 0.002) increased the risk of conversion. Discussion: Despite differences in memory performance and memory complaints, EOMCI and LOMCI seem to represent indistinct biological groups that do not have a higher risk of conversion to AD or differ in risk factors for conversion.

Differences in quantitative methods for measuring subjective cognitive decline - results from a prospective memory clinic study.

Cognitive complaints occur frequently in elderly people and may be a risk factor for dementia and cognitive decline. Results from studies on subjective cognitive decline are difficult to compare due to variability in assessment methods, and little is known about how different methods influence reports of cognitive decline. The Subjective Memory Complaints Scale (SMC) and The Memory Complaint Questionnaire (MAC-Q) were applied in 121 mixed memory clinic patients with mild cognitive symptoms (mean MMSE = 26.8, SD 2.7). The scales were applied independently and raters were blinded to results from the other scale. Scales were not used for diagnostic classification. Cognitive performances and depressive symptoms were also rated. We studied the association between the two measures and investigated the scales' relation to depressive symptoms, age, and cognitive status. SMC and MAC-Q were significantly associated (r = 0.44, N = 121, p = 0.015) and both scales had a wide range of scores. In this mixed cohort of patients, younger age was associated with higher SMC scores. There were no significant correlations between cognitive test performances and scales measuring subjective decline. Depression scores were significantly correlated to both scales measuring subjective decline. Linear regression models showed that age did not have a significant contribution to the variance in subjective memory beyond that of depressive symptoms. Measures for subjective cognitive decline are not interchangeable when used in memory clinics and the application of different scales in previous studies is an important factor as to why studies show variability in the association between subjective cognitive decline and background data and/or clinical results. Careful consideration should be taken as to which questions are relevant and have validity when operationalizing subjective cognitive decline.

The association between the subjective memory complaints scale and depressive state and cognitive impairment: a factor analysis.

BackgroundWe aimed to discriminate individuals with depressive state from individuals with cognitive impairment among community-dwelling people using the subjective memory complaints (SMC) scale.MethodsThe study group consisted of 289 volunteers (over 60 years old; 104 males and 185 females). Participants’ SMCs were assessed using the SMC scale. The Japanese version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies for Depression scale and the Mini-Mental State Examination were administered. Participants whose Center for Epidemiologic Studies for Depression scores were 16 or higher were defined as the depressive group and participants whose Mini-Mental State Examination scores were less than 24 were defined as the cognitive impairment group. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to identify the factor structure of the items of the SMC scale. A multiple logistic regression analysis of the association between depressive state and cognitive impairment and the score of each factor was performed.ResultsIn the final factor analysis model, six items of the SMC scale remained, and a two-factor structure was adequate. Factor 1 included the items 8, 9, and 10 about thought or the ability to think; thus, Factor 1 was defined as “thought disturbance factor”. Factor 2 included the items 1, 2, and 4 about memory or forgetfulness; thus, Factor 2 was defined as “memory disturbance factor”. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, Factor 1 was significantly associated with depressive state and Factor 2 was significantly associated with cognitive impairment.ConclusionFor individuals with SMCs, we might be able to discriminate depressive state or depression from cognitive impairment or dementia through a detailed investigation using the SMC scale.

Education modifies the type of subjective memory complaints in older people.

The aim of the study is to analyze the relationship between the level of education and the profile of subjective memory complaints (SMC). Participants were healthy volunteers aged >50 years old, from a community-based sample. Educational attainment was self-reported, and participants were subsequently assembled in four groups, according to the highest grade achieved in school. Additionally, they were questioned about their own memory abilities using an SMC scale (total score 0-21) and assessed for the presence of depressive symptoms. A total of 841 participants aged 50-92 years old were included. The mean total score on the SMC scale was 5.3 ± 3.2, and 80.4% of the subjects reported at least one minor complaint about their memory. There was no correlation between total SMC score and higher educational level, even after accounting for the presence of depressive symptoms. However, regarding specific SMC, the use of notes to avoid forgetting was more frequent in higher levels of education, whereas the opposite trend was observed for complaints of transient confusion. Educational attainment possibly modulates the frequency and type of SMC in normal aging. Because these complaints are a major symptom for the diagnosis of cognitive decline, it seems relevant to consider the level of education when interpreting subjective reports on memory.

Subjective Memory Complaint and Depressive Symptoms among Older Adults in Portugal.

Background. Older adults report subjective memory complaints (SMCs) but whether these are related to depression remains controversial. In this study we investigated the relationship between the SMCs and depression and their predictors in a sample of old adults. Methods. This cross-sectional study enrolled 620 participants aged 55 to 96 years (74.04 ± 10.41). Outcome measures included a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire, a SMC scale (QSM), a Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), a Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE), and a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Results. The QSM mean total score for the main results suggests that SMCs are higher in old adults with depressed symptoms, comparatively to nondepressed old adults. The GDS scores were positively associated with QSM but negatively associated with education, MMSE, and MoCA. GDS scores predicted almost 63.4% of variance. Scores on QSM and MoCA are significantly predicted by depression symptomatology. Conclusion. Depression symptoms, lower education level, and older age may be crucial to the comprehension of SMCs. The present study suggested that depression might play a role in the SMCs of the older adults and its treatment should be considered.

Assessment of Relation Between Subjectıve Memory Complaınts and Objective Cognitive Performance of Elderly Over 55 Years Old Age.

This study investigated the frequency of forgetfulness in elderly individuals over 55 years of age and examined the association of subjective memory complaints (SMCs) with objective cognitive functions,, depression and other risk factors. We recruited 405 patients over 55 years of age who were referred to Neurology, Cardiology, or Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation outpatient clinics. All subjects were questioned regarding forgetfulness and then were administered the Subjective Memory Complaint (SMC) Scale, Mini Mental Test (MMT), Verbal Fluency Test (VFT), Clock Drawing Test (CDT) and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Subjects with SMC were compared with those without SMC in terms of cognition, depression and some laboratory parameters. Of the patients, 42.5% complained of forgetfulness. None of these patients had been admitted to hospital for this complaint. Women and patients with low education had more forgetfulness as well as poorer results on the SMC Scale, MMT, VFT, and GDS. Patients with SMC had lower hemoglobin, ferritin and free T4 levels. Female gender and depression was found to be a risk factor for SMCs. SMCs are common in people over 55 years of age. Being a woman as well as depression was found to be a risk factor for SMC. Since depression is a treatable condition, these people should be assessed carefully in terms of depressive symptoms. Laboratory parameters, such as hemoglobin, ferritin and free T4 levels should be investigated in patients with SMC. Unlike the other cognitive tests, CDT performance is independent of subjective memory complaints. Elderly patients rarely visit hospital with complaint of SMC, therefore, clinicians should be watchful for this problem.

Memory Complaints Associated with Seeking Clinical Care

Diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment relies on the presence of memory complaints. However, memory complaints are very frequent in healthy people. The objective of this study was to determine the severity and type of memory difficulties presented by elderly patients who seek for clinical help, as compared to the memory difficulties reported by subjects in the community. Assessment of subjective memory complaints was done with the subjective memory complaints scale (SMC). The mini-mental state examination was used for general cognitive evaluation and the geriatric depression scale for the assessment of depressive symptoms. Eight-hundred and seventy-one nondemented subjects older than 50 years were included. Participants in the clinical setting had a higher total SMC score (10.3 ± 4.2) than those in the community (5.1 ± 3.0). Item 3 of the SMC, Do you ever forget names of family members or friends? contributed significantly more to the variance of the total SMC score in the clinical sample (18%) as compared to the community sample (11%). Forgetting names of family members or friends plays an important role in subjective memory complaints in the clinical setting. This symptom is possibly perceived as particularly worrisome and likely drives people to seek for clinical help.

Memory Complaints Are Frequent but Qualitatively Different in Young and Elderly Healthy People

Background: Subjective memory complaints are frequently reported by the elderly. There is less information about the characterization of subjective memory complaints in young people. Objective: To determine different memory complaints between young and elderly people with the use of the Subjective Memory Complaints (SMC) scale. Methods: Participants were volunteers attending a health itinerant unit, a blood donor centre, a leisure centre for retired people, a senior citizens college or university. All participants were questioned about their own memory abilities using the SMC scale and assessed for the presence of depressive symptoms. Results: Nine-hundred and forty-six subjects aged 18–92 years were included in the study. The mean total score on the SMC scale was 4.89 ± 3.03, and 75.9% of the participants had at least minor complaints about their memory. Older people had more general memory complaints and reported they were more likely to become transiently confused, whereas younger people reported they were more frequently told by others that they were forgetful and would more often take notes. Conclusions: Memory complaints were frequent both in young and elderly subjects, but the detailed assessment revealed age-related differences in the type of complaints.

Memory complaints in healthy young and elderly adults: Reliability of memory reporting

The relationship between memory complaints and objective memory performance remains poorly understood, particularly in young and middle aged people. We studied the relationship between reports of memory complaints and objective memory performance, and the possibility of differentiating good and poor reporters across the lifespan based on concordance between reported abilities and objectively assessed performance. This cross-sectional study enrolled 292 healthy individuals, aged 18 to 87 years, able to perform common activities of daily living and without neurological or psychiatric conditions or systemic diseases likely to interfere with cognition. No correlation between memory complaints, as assessed by the Subjective Memory Complaints scale (SMC) score and the objective memory performance, evaluated by the long-delay free recall (LDFR) score of the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT), was found, even when grouping the participants by decade. The SMC score was influenced by the presence of depressive symptoms. Participants who were more educated, female and younger tended to have a higher CVLT-LDFR score. Younger subjects were more likely to have good memory performance and report few memory complaints than older subjects. In conclusion, there are differences in the reliability of memory reporting across the lifespan, younger subjects being more likely to correctly report good memory than older subjects.