The relationship between memory performance, perceived cognitive function, and mood in patients with epilepsy.
OBJECTIVE
The low correlations between memory performance and subjective memory may be attributable to disparities between tasks in neuropsychological tests and cognitive experiences of day-to-day living. This study evaluated the relationship between everyday memory performance, perceived cognitive functioning, and mood among patients with epilepsy.


METHODS
From three epilepsy centers in the USA, 138 patients were recruited. Everyday memory performance was measured using the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT). Questionnaires assessed perceived cognitive function (cognitive domain, Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory, QOLIE-89) and mood (Profile of Mood States, POMS).


RESULTS
Memory performance scores were weakly correlated with perceived cognitive functioning (r =0.22, P < 0.01). Perceived cognitive functioning was strongly correlated with mood (r = - 0.75, P < 0.0001). Multiple regression analysis indicated memory performance (RBMT) and mood (POMS) were independent predictors of perceived cognitive functioning (P < 0.02); however, the explained variance for RBMT and POMS combined (R2 = 0.58) is only slightly higher than the predictive value for the POMS score alone (R2 = 0.56).


CONCLUSIONS
Memory performance tests provide qualitatively different information than patients' self-reported cognitive difficulties, thus it is important to assess memory performance, perceived cognitive function, and mood separately because the constructs are related but not redundant.
Elixhauser
A
A
Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, Rockville, MD 20852, USA. aelixhau@ahcpr.gov
Leidy
N K
NK
Meador
K
K
Means
E
E
Willian
M K
MK
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D003071:Cognition; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept