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Subjective cognitive complaints included in diagnostic evaluation of dementia helps accurate diagnosis in a mixed memory clinic cohort
Author(s) -
Salem L. C.,
Vogel A.,
Ebstrup J.,
Linneberg A.,
Waldemar G.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.4272
Subject(s) - memory clinic , dementia , cognition , depression (economics) , cohort , psychiatry , psychology , clinical psychology , medicine , cognitive impairment , disease , economics , macroeconomics
Objective Our objective was to examine the quantity and profile of subjective cognitive complaints in young patients as compared with elderly patients referred to a memory clinic. Methods Patients were consecutively recruited from the Copenhagen University Hospital Memory Clinic at Rigshospitalet. In total, 307 patients and 149 age‐matched healthy controls were included. Patients were classified in 4 diagnostic groups: dementia, mild cognitive impairment, affective disorders and no cognitive impairment. Subjective memory was assessed with subjective memory complaints (SMC) scale. Global cognitive functions were assessed with the Mini‐mental state examination (MMSE) and Addenbrooke's cognitive examination (ACE), and symptoms of depression were rated with Major Depression Inventory (MDI). All interviews and the diagnostic conclusion were blinded to the SMC score. Results We found that young patients with dementia have a significantly higher level and a different profile of subjective cognitive complaints as compared with elderly patients with dementia. Furthermore, young patients, diagnosed with an affective disorder, had the highest level of subjective cognitive complaints of all patients in a memory clinic. The age of the patients and MDI score (but not MMSE or ACE) had significant impact on the level of subjective cognitive complaints. Conclusions We have established that young patients with dementia have a different profile of subjective cognitive complaints than elderly patients, and further studies are needed to clarify possible relation to specific subtypes of dementia. Altogether, a systematic interview on subjective cognitive complaints may contribute to the diagnostic evaluation of patients referred to a memory clinic. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.