Subjective memory complaints in the elderly: a sign of cognitive impairment?

Cognitive impairment in the elderly is frequently overlooked by general practitioners. The use of subjective memory complaints as a sign of cognitive impairment by the general practice is controversial. Elderly individuals (N = 248) were asked whether they had memory complaints and underwent a cogni...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinics (São Paulo, Brazil) Brazil), 2014-03, Vol.69 (3), p.194-197
Main Authors: Jacinto, Alessandro Ferrari, Brucki, Sonia Maria Dozzi, Porto, Claudia Sellitto, de Arruda Martins, Milton, Nitrini, Ricardo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age Factors
Age-Related Memory Disorder
Aged
Brazil
Clinical Science
Cognition Disorders - diagnosis
Cognition Disorders - physiopathology
Cognitive Disorders
Dementia - diagnosis
Dementia - physiopathology
Educational Status
Female
General Practice
Geriatric Assessment
Humans
Male
MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL
Memory Disorders - diagnosis
Memory Disorders - physiopathology
Neuropsychological Tests
Primary Health Care
Sensitivity and Specificity
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:Cognitive impairment in the elderly is frequently overlooked by general practitioners. The use of subjective memory complaints as a sign of cognitive impairment by the general practice is controversial. Elderly individuals (N = 248) were asked whether they had memory complaints and underwent a cognitive impairment screening. Subjects classified as exhibiting “probable cognitive impairment” underwent a complete cognitive evaluation, and the final diagnoses were established by expert consensus. A total of 147 patients presented with subjective memory complaints, and 43 were further classified as demented or “cognitively impaired not demented”. Subjective memory complaints presented a sensitivity of 100% and a negative predictive value of 100%. Subjective memory complaints are an indicator for cognitive impairment screening.
ISSN:1807-5932
1980-5322
1980-5322
DOI:10.6061/clinics/2014(03)09