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Are subjective cognitive complaints a risk factor for dementia?
Roberto Gallassi1, Federico Oppi, Roberto Poda
1Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Bologna, via U. Foscolo 7, 40123, Bologna, Italy. roberto.gallassi@unibo.it
Summary
Subjective cognitive complaints (SCC) patients show varied prognoses. Some with no objective cognitive impairment (NOCI) progress to mild cognitive impairment (MCI), while MCI patients may stabilize or develop dementia.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cognitive Science
- Gerontology
Background:
- Subjective cognitive complaints (SCC) are increasingly recognized in clinical practice.
- Understanding the prognosis of SCC is crucial for patient management and healthcare planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the 4-year prognosis of patients experiencing subjective cognitive complaints (SCC).
- To identify predictors of cognitive decline and dementia progression in SCC patients.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 92 SCC patients.
- Classification of patients into no objective cognitive impairment (NOCI) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) groups.
- Longitudinal assessment of cognitive, affective, and behavioral aspects over 4 years.
Main Results:
- Of 43 NOCI patients, 45.5% remained stable, 13.9% progressed to MCI, and one developed dementia.
- Of 49 MCI patients, 32.3% remained stable, 18.4% progressed to dementia, and 4% reverted to NOCI.
- Visual attention, behavioral memory, long-term verbal memory, apathy, and caregiver distress were independent predictors of dementia progression.
Conclusions:
- SCC patients exhibit diverse prognoses, with a significant portion progressing to MCI or dementia.
- Specific cognitive and affective factors can predict the likelihood of progression to dementia in SCC individuals.
- These findings highlight the importance of comprehensive assessment and monitoring for SCC patients.
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