Subjective Cognitive Complaints: Comparing the Relation between Self-Reported Versus Informant-Reported Subjective Cognitive Complaints and Cognitive Performances in Cognitively Unimpaired, Mild Cognitive Impairment and Populations with Dementia

BACKGROUND

Subjective cognitive decline is proposed to be associated with future mild cognitive impairment and dementia. A better understanding of the roles of self-reported and informant-reported subjective cognitive complaints can provide a more delicate picture in dementia recognition and early diagnosis.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the accuracy of self-reported and informant-reported subjective cognitive complaints and the relation of subjective cognitive complaints and neuropsychological function in cognitively unimpaired, mild cognitive impairment and populations with dementia.

DESIGN

We conducted a cross-sectional survey and evaluate the relations between subjective cognitive complaint scores and cognitive function in the different diagnostic groups.

SETTING

We recruited individuals diagnosed with cognitively unimpaired or mild cognitive impairment or dementia with Alzheimer's clinical syndrome from a memory clinic in a tertiary medical center in Taiwan.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants, age greater than 50 years old, were enrolled in this study. Participants' informants were also enrolled for the cognitive questionnaire assessment.

MEASUREMENTS

Participants' and informants' subjective cognitive complaint scores were collected based on a 12-item questionnaire. Neuropsychological assessments of global cognitive function, memory, language, executive function, visuospatial function and calculation were performed. The relations between subjective cognitive complaint scores and cognitive function in the different diagnostic groups were assessed by linear regression model.

RESULTS

There were 1536 individuals and 1028 informants enrolled in this study. Self-reported subjective cognitive complaint scores from early and late mild cognitive impairment and dementia with Alzheimer's clinical syndrome participants showed no significant differences, but informants' subjective cognitive complaint scores showed a significant increase. Informant-reported subjective cognitive complaint scores related to neuropsychological tests in population with dementia. Neither self-reported nor informant-reported subjective cognitive complaint scores related to neuropsychological tests in cognitively unimpaired and mild cognitive impairment populations.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-reported subjective cognitive complaints alone may not be sufficient to demonstrate clinical significance in different stages of cognitive impairment. Incorporating informant-reported subjective cognitive complaints, along with considering individual's anxiety and depressive status, are crucial in assessing cognitive statuses in clinical practice.