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Subjective cognitive complaints across the adult life span: a 14-year analysis of trends and associations using the 1993, 2000 and 2007 English Psychiatric Morbidity Surveys

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 September 2013

A. Begum ,
M. Dewey ,
A. Hassiotis ,
M. Prince ,
S. Wessely  and
R. Stewart
A. Begum*
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
M. Dewey
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
A. Hassiotis
Affiliation:
Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, UK
M. Prince
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
S. Wessely
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
R. Stewart
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
*
* Address for correspondence: A. Begum, Ph.D., Section of Epidemiology (Box 60), Institute of Psychiatry, London SE5 8AF, UK. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Background

Cognitive complaints are common in all age groups but most often researched in old age. We aimed to investigate prevalences and time trends over 14 years of subjective memory complaints (SMC) and subjective concentration complaints (SCC) in adults and investigate associations with mood disorders and cognitive function.

Method

Data from three English national mental health surveys carried out in 1993, 2000 and 2007 were analysed. SMC and SCC were measured using the Clinical Interview Schedule – Revised and cognitive function using the modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status.

Results

Both SMC and SCC increased up to middle age and then declined, followed by a second rise in the very oldest age groups. Age-specific prevalence of both increased across survey years but relationships with mental health and cognitive outcomes were relatively stable.

Conclusions

Cognitive complaints are most common in middle age and have become more prevalent over time.

Keywords

Concentrationnational surveyssubjective memory complaints trends
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 44 , Issue 9 , July 2014 , pp. 1977 - 1987
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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