Are subjective cognitive complaints a risk factor for dementia?
The objective is to evaluate the prognosis of subjective cognitive complaints (SCC) patients during 4-year follow-up. A prospective study on 92 SCC patients investigating their cognitive, affective and behavioural aspects. SCC patients were classified as having no objective cognitive impairment (NOCI), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or subtypes of MCI.


RESULTS
43 patients were found to have NOCI and 49 MCI. During the follow-up, 45.5% of NOCI patients remained unchanged, 13.9% were diagnosed as MCI and only one progressed to dementia. Of the MCI patients, 32.3% remained stable, 18.4% became demented and 4% reverted to NOCI. Visual attention, behavioural memory, long-term verbal memory, apathy and caregiver distress, provided independent predictors of progression to dementia.
Gallassi
Roberto
R
Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Bologna, via U. Foscolo 7, 40123, Bologna, Italy. roberto.gallassi@unibo.it
Oppi
Federico
F
Poda
Roberto
R
Scortichini
Simona
S
Stanzani Maserati
Michelangelo
M
Marano
Gianfranco
G
Sambati
Luisa
L
D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020945:Lupus Vasculitis, Central Nervous System; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors