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Comparative Study
. 2018 Jun;14(6):734-742.
doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2017.12.003. Epub 2018 Jan 18.

Risk of progression from subjective cognitive decline to mild cognitive impairment: The role of study setting

Beth E Snitz  1 , Tianxiu Wang  2 , Yona Keich Cloonan  3 , Erin Jacobsen  2 , Chung-Chou H Chang  4 , Tiffany F Hughes  5 , M Ilyas Kamboh  6 , Mary Ganguli  7
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Risk of progression from subjective cognitive decline to mild cognitive impairment: The role of study setting

Beth E Snitz et al. Alzheimers Dement. 2018 Jun.

Abstract

Introduction: We compared risk of progression from subjective cognitive decline (SCD) to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in an academic memory clinic versus a population-based study.

Methods: Older adults presenting at a memory clinic were classified as SCD (n = 113) or as noncomplainers (n = 82). Participants from a population study were classified as SCD (n = 592) and noncomplainers (n = 589) based on a memory complaint score. Annual follow-up performed for a mean of 3 years.

Results: The adjusted hazard ratio for SCD was 15.97 (95% confidence interval: 6.08-42.02, P < .001) in the memory clinic versus 1.18 (95% confidence interval: 1.00-1.40, P = .047) in the population study, where reported "worry" about memory further increased SCD-associated risk for MCI.

Discussion: SCD is more likely to progress to MCI in a memory clinic than the general population; participants' characteristics vary across settings. Study setting should be considered when evaluating SCD as a risk state for MCI and dementia.

Keywords: Cognitive decline; Longitudinal design; Memory complaints; Selection factors.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: None

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Adjusted Kaplan-Meier curves by subjective cognitive decline (SCD) vs. non-complainer (NC) status, in the population study (left) and in the memory disorders clinic (right). The y-axis shows the probability of remaining MCI-free and the x-axis shows the number of years of follow-up, which differs by study setting.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Adjusted Kaplan-Meier curves by subjective cognitive decline (SCD) vs. non-complainer (NC) status and by APOE*4 allele carrier status, in the population study (left) and in the memory disorders clinic (right). The y-axis shows the probability of remaining MCI-free and the x-axis shows the number of years of follow-up, which differs by study setting.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Adjusted Kaplan-Meier curves by NC vs. SCD with worry vs. SCD without worry in the population study, only. The y-axis shows the probability of remaining MCI-free and the x-axis shows the number of years of follow-up.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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