Subjective memory complaint and its relationship with cognitive changes and physical vulnerability of community-dwelling older adults

Abstract

Memory complaint (MC) is common in older adults and can be confirmed by people close to them, such as family members and caregivers. Studies show an association between MC and cognitive impairment and, hence, physical vulnerability may exacerbate MC. However, the relationship between MC and physical vulnerability is not yet clear in the literature.\ Objective: to investigate the association between MC, cognitive impairment, and physical vulnerability. Methods: this is a cross-sectional study. We evaluated 100 older adults with a mean age of 65 years or over. The Memory Complaint Scale (MCS), Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Vulnerable Elderly Research-13 (VES-13), Geriatric Depression Scale and a sociodemographic questionnaire were applied. Results: participants were divided into two groups according to results on the MCS-A (elderly) and MCS-B (informant). Correlations were found between the MCS-A and the MMSE (p=.045/ρ=.201), ACE-R/Visual-Spatial (p=.048/ρ=.199), and ACE-R/Attention-Orientation (p=.026/ρ=.223). For the MCS-B, correlations were found with total score on the ACE-R (p=.044/ρ=-.202) and the ACE-R/Visual-Spatial (p=0.003/ρ=-.291). Conclusion: MC reported by the informant indicate the need to assess, in more depth, the cognition of the older adult. Thus, for clinical practice, screening of MC through an informant is advised.

Memory complaints at primary care in a middle-income country: clinical and neuropsychological characterization

“…10 Another Brazilian study found that the score on the Memory Complaints Scale correlated with the MMSE and with measures of visual-spatial abilities and orientation. 18 This study investigated both inquired and spontaneous memory complaints. We found that inquired memory complaints (n=78; 85.7%) were more frequent than spontaneous memory complaints (n=13; 14.3%), in line with Burmester et al, 31 who reported that the frequency of spontaneous memory complaints was lower than when actively investigated with a structured questionnaire, in a large survey with 421 individuals.…”

“…33 To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the first reports of frequency of SCD in a middle-income country. 18 Considering that SCD is associated with increased risk for developing MCI and AD, 14 a clinical follow-up of these individuals is warranted.…”

“…Participants underwent a semi-structured questionnaire, describing sociodemographic and medical variables (comorbidities, use of medications, alcohol use, smoking, physical activity). Next, the Brief Cognitive Battery 21 was applied, which includes the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) 22 , the Figure Memory Test (FMT, a Visual Episodic Memory Test), 18 the Clock Drawing Test 23 and Verbal Fluency (Animal Category). 24 Participants were also submitted to the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) 25 and Functional Activity Questionnaire (FAQ) 26 (Figure 1).…”

“…Despite this clinical relevance, there are few studies of SCD in primary health care, 15 and most of them were conducted in populations from high-income countries, with high educational level. 16 There is scarce data about cognitive impairment and memory complaints in low-and middle-income countries, 10,[16][17][18][19] especially in primary health care. As a matter of fact, the number of patients with dementia is globally increasing, especially in low and middle-income regions, such as Latin America, 20 making it crucial to provide data about SCD and memory complaints in these populations.…”

Evaluating subjective cognitive decline: a systematic review of tools available for evaluating cognitive complaints in Portuguese

“…However, because of the large high number of questions and the length of some questions, applying this questionnaire may be time-consuming. • Memory Complaint Scale (MCS 30,40,43,44 ): This scale comprises two sections with seven items each, scoring from 0 to 2 in each item. Its results are scaled as mild (3-6 points), moderate (7-10 points) or severe (11-14 points) memory complaint.…”