Memory complaint scale (MCS): Proposed tool for active systematic search

Abstract

Subjective Memory Complaints (SMC) are frequent among adults and elderly and are associated with poor quality of life. The etiology and clinical significance of SMCs are unclear, but these complaints are associated with objective cognitive decline or with depression, anxiety and psychosocial stressors. Biological and physiological brain alterations resembling those in Alzheimer's Disease have been found in SMC. SMC can evolve with different outcomes and represent the initial symptom or a risk factor of dementia. Active systematic search can be useful for early screening of candidates for preventive or therapeutic interventions.ObjectiveTo propose a Memory Complaints Scale (MCS) as an instrument for actively searching for memory complaints and to investigate its utility for discriminating demented from cognitively normal elderly.MethodsA total of 161 patients from a teaching behavioral neurology outpatient unit of a tertiary hospital were studied. The MCS was used in two ways, by direct application to the patient and by application to the patient's companion. Cognitive tests assessing depression and daily living activities were also applied.ResultsHigh Cronbach's alpha coefficients were found for the two application methods. Correlations between the two versions and the other instruments administered for patients grouped by type and severity of dementia were also found.ConclusionThe MCS is a useful scale for identifying memory complaints and discriminating demented from cognitively normal elderly. Further studies confirming these findings are warranted.

The Sensitivity and Specificity of Subjective Memory Complaints and the Subjective Memory Rating Scale, Deterioration Cognitive Observee, Mini-Mental State Examination, Six-Item Screener and Clock Drawing Test in Dementia Screening

“…The MAC-Q has recently been found to be greatly affected by affect and was not recommended for cognitive screening [65] . The Memory Complaint Scale has only recently been proposed for further research [66] . The SMRS was chosen for its brevity, simplicity and scoring method -characteristics that could lend it to easy administration by nonprofessionals, translation into local languages and utility for elderly with low literacy, should it prove to have validity for dementia screening.…”

Oficina “MemorIdade”: impactos na cognição e queixa de memória em idosos de um Centro de Convivência

“…Ademais, também foi utilizada a EQM para avaliar as queixas de memória (Vale, et al, 2012). Nesse instrumento, foi identificado um aumento significativo na pontuação, de 3,10 para 6,70 (p=0,004), indicando uma piora na queixa de memória.…”

“…Destarte, os resultados do presente estudo provocam um alerta, já que a queixa subjetiva de memória é um dado importante a ser considerado, que não deve ser atribuído a um fenômeno comum do envelhecimento, ou a um sintoma de depressão, pois é uma condição plural que pode ser indicativa de declínio cognitivo futuro, com maior risco de desenvolvimento de comprometimento cognitivo leve e de demência (Mitchell, Beaumont, Ferguson, Yadegarfar, & Stubbs, 2014;Vale, et al, 2012).…”

Instruments of Active Search and Assessment of Memory Complaint. A Systematic Review

“…Vale et al [17] proposed the Memory Complaints Scale structured questionnaire as an instrument to active memory complaint search in order to investigate its utility to identify dementia in cognitively healthy older adults. Through a random sample extracted from a specialized teaching hospital casuistry, 60+ older adults were selected.…”

“…It is composed of seven question, where: No MC (0-2), slight MC (3-6), mild MC (7-10) and accentuated MC (11)(12)(13)(14) [17].…”