Sex‐specific effects of subjective memory complaints with respect to cognitive impairment or depressive symptoms

Abstract

Aim:The aim of this study was to investigate the association between subjective memory complaints (SMC) and sex. Methods:We researched the prevalence of SMC in a sample of 394 participants who were at least 60 years of age (138 male and 256 female). We also administered the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies for Depression (CES-D) scale. A multiple logistic regression analysis, which included SMC in association with the MMSE or CES-D scores and other confounding factors, was performed to determine the influence of sex on SMC. A P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:The durations of education of male participants were significantly higher than those of female participants. MMSE scores for female participants were significantly higher than those for male participants. There was no significant difference in CES-D scores between male and female participants. Twenty-four male participants and 72 female participants showed evidence of SMC. The incidence of SMC was more frequent in female participants than in male participants. In all participants, sex difference and CES-D score were significantly associated with SMC. In male participants, MMSE score was independently and significantly associated with SMC. Both in female participants and all participants, CES-D score was independently and significantly associated with SMC.Conclusion: SMC varied by sex and were associated with the degree of cognitive impairment in male participants, while they were associated with depressive symptoms in female participants.

Subjective Cognitive Complaints in Cognitively Healthy Older Adults and Their Relationship to Cognitive Performance and Depressive Symptoms

“…Previous findings about the association between gender and SCCs are incongruent. Some communitybased studies reported a higher rate of SCCs to be associated with female gender [32,34]. Other studies including the previous one that used the QPC did not find any effect of gender on the number of SCCs [21,35], which is congruent with our findings.…”

Subjective cognitive decline, APOE ε4, and incident mild cognitive impairment in men and women

“…More women than men have AD and a study also showed sex differences in MCI [44]. Tomita et al [45] found a link between SCD and cognition in men but not in women. In a population-based study, SCD was associated with increased risk of dementia only in women [46].…”

Sub‐clinical orthostatic hypotension is associated with greater subjective memory impairment in older adults

“…This highlighted sex differences showing that men with poor subjective memory had a larger orthostatic SBP deficit and slower SBP stabilisation than men with excellent subjective memory-a pattern consistent with impaired cardiovascular autonomic homeostasis. Although sex differences in cognitive deficits remain poorly understood (Mielke et al, 2014), a recent study has suggested that SMI may reflect objective cognition in men but affective state in women (Tomita et al, 2014); women reported poorer subjective memory despite having better objective cognition; men, however, were more accurate in self-appraisal of cognitive abilities. The HUNT study also described sex differences in their findings-in men, but not in women, lower seated systolic BP was related to greater SMI relative to moderate seated systolic BP (Langballe et al, 2012).…”