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Subjective memory complaints in the elderly: Depressive symptoms and future dementia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

B. Schmand ,
C. Jonker ,
M. I. Geerlings  and
J. Lindeboom
B. Schmand*
Affiliation:
Amsterdam Study of the Elderly (AMSTEL Project), Department of Psychiatry, and EMGO Institute, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam; and Slotervaartziekenhuis, Amsterdam
C. Jonker
Affiliation:
AMSTEL Project
M. I. Geerlings
Affiliation:
AMSTEL Project and EMGO Institute
J. Lindeboom
Affiliation:
AMSTEL Project and Department of Medical Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam
*
B. Schmand, Amstel Project, Vrije Universiteit, Faculteit SCW, De Boelelaan 1081 C, 1081 HVAmsterdam. The Netherlands. Tel: +31 20 444 6770 Fax: +31 20 444 6775. e-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Background

Population studies indicate that subjective memory complaints by elderly people are correlated with cognitive performance. These complaints have some predictive power regarding the development of dementia. The present study attempted to replicate this finding, and investigated which variables determine subjective memory complaints.

Method

Participants in the Amsterdam Study of the Elderly (n=2114; 65–84 years of age), who were not demented and had a normal MMSE score (> 23) at baseline, were re-examined after four years. Subjective complaints were measured using a previously developed scale. Dementia and depression were measured using the Geriatric Mental State Schedule (GMS). Premorbid intelligence was measured by the Dutch Adult Reading Test (DART)

Results

Memory complaints at baseline contributed a small but significant amount of diagnostic information with respect to the prediction of future dementia. Depressive symptoms at baseline had no predictive value when these memory complaints were accounted for. Subjective memory complaints were associated with depression, baseline MMSE score, and premorbid intelligence.

Conclusions

Subjective memory complaints are not just secondary to depression, but in part reflect realistic self-observations of cognitive decline.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 171 , Issue 4 , October 1997 , pp. 373 - 376
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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