title: Demographic, clinical, and lifestyle correlates of subjective memory complaints in the Australian population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide estimates of the prevalence and correlates of subjective memory complaints in older individuals by using population-based Australian data.
  
  
  METHODS
  2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Well-Being.
  
  
  METHODS
  Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  1,905 community-dwelling participants aged 65-85 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjective memory complaints were assessed by using two questions reflecting: (1) poorer memory compared with others of the same age ("worse memory"); and (2) a decline in memory performance over the previous 5 years ("declining memory"). Twelve-month and lifetime diagnoses were derived from structured diagnostic interviews. Other correlates investigated included chronic physical conditions, lifestyle factors, and service use. Analyses adjusted for scores on the Mini-Mental State Examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjective memory complaints were reported by one-third (33.5%) of respondents. Those who reported either complaint were more likely to report psychological distress, poor functioning, service use, and negative self-assessed mental and physical health. "Declining memory" over the past 5 years was also related to an increase in the rates of psychiatric disorders. After adjusting for other variables of interest, associations were established between subjective memory complaints and psychological distress, poor functioning, negative self-assessed mental health, and alcohol use disorders. Except for the association between "declining memory" and anxiety and depression, these associations remained significant after excluding those with scores <27 on the Mini-Mental State Examination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subjective memory complaints were associated with several negative clinical characteristics that should be considered when interpreting these complaints. Subjective memory complaints may be valid indicators of psychopathology and the need for clinical assessment.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Healthy Brain and Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression, St. Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: louisem@unsw.edu.au.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mewton
authors.affiliation: Centre for Healthy Brain and Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Neuropsychiatric Institute, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Perminder
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sachdev
authors.affiliation: Centre for Healthy Brain and Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sunderland
authors.affiliation: Centre for Healthy Brain and Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Gavin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Andrews
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Memory; old age; population-based study