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Comparative Study
. 2021;81(2):545-555.
doi: 10.3233/JAD-201399.

Cross-Cultural Comparisons of Subjective Cognitive Complaints in a Diverse Primary Care Population

Danelly Rodríguez  1 , Emmeline Ayers  1 , Erica F Weiss  1 , Joe Verghese  1   2
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Cross-Cultural Comparisons of Subjective Cognitive Complaints in a Diverse Primary Care Population

Danelly Rodríguez et al. J Alzheimers Dis. 2021.

Abstract

Background: Very few studies have explored the utility of subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) in primary care settings.

Objective: We aim to investigate associations between SCCs (item-level), objective cognitive function (across domains and global), and mood in a diverse primary care population, including subjects with mild cognitive impairment.

Methods: We studied 199 (75.9%females; 57.8%Hispanics; 42.2%African Americans) older adults (mean age 72.5 years) with memory concerns at a primary care clinic. A five-item SCC questionnaire, and objective cognitive assessments, including the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Geriatric Depression Scale, were administered.

Results: Logistic regression analyses showed associations between SCC score and depressive symptoms. A memory-specific ("memory worsening") SCC predicted scores on the MoCA (p = 0.005) in Hispanics.

Conclusion: SCCs are strongly linked to depressive symptoms in African Americans and Hispanics in a primary care setting; a specific type of SCC is related to global cognitive function in Hispanics.

Keywords: Cognitive function; cross-sectional; depressive symptoms; primary care; subjective health complaint; underserved populations.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Data are presented as percentages (%) of the total (n = 199) subjective cognitive complaint responses. formula image African American; formula image Hispanic.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Data are presented as percentages (%) of subjective cognitive complaint responses within groups. formula image African American; formula image Hispanic.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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