J Korean Geriatr Psychiatry.  2009 Dec;13(2):91-96.

Relationship Between Subjective Memory Complaints and Cognition in the Elderly

• Chang KJ
• Lee KS
• Kim HJ
• Cheong HK
• Oh BH
• Hong CH

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
We aimed to investigate the relationship between subjective memory complaints and cognition in the elderly.
METHODS
Data obtained from 1,496 subjects (510 men and 986 women) aged above 60 years was analyzed from the Gwangju Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment Study (GDEMCIS). All subjects completed the study questionnaire including demographic characteristics, history of current and past illnesses, drug history, Korean version-Mini Mental State Examination (K-MMSE), and Short Form Korean version of Geriatric depression scale (SGDS-K). Subjective memory complaints were defined in two different ways; worse than others (SMC-O) and worse than one's past (SMC-P).
RESULTS
On analysis of covariance, there was significant difference of estimated marginal means of K-MMSE score among five SMC-P groups (much improve:18.0, little improve:21.3, not changed:21.2, little worse:21.1, much worse:20.2) after adjusting age, sex, educational level and depression (F=9.63, df=4, p<0.0001, adjusted R2=0.375). There was significant difference of estimated marginal means of K-MMSE score among three SMC-O groups (below peer's average:20.4, peer's average:20.9, above peer's average:21.8) after adjusting age, sex, educational level and depression (F=4.89, df=2, p=0.043, adjusted R2=0.0.361).
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that subjective memory complaints may be an indicator of objective cognitive impairment in the elderly.

Keyword

Subjective memory complaints; Cognition; Depression; Elderly

MeSH Terms

Aged
Cognition
Dementia
Depression
Humans
Male
Memory
Mild Cognitive Impairment
Surveys and Questionnaires