title: Subjective memory and concentration deficits in medication-free, non-elderly Asians with major depressive disorder: prevalence and their correlates.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) in major depressive disorder (MDD) is prevalent and correlated with disability. This study aimed to examine the prevalence rates and correlates of subjective memory deficit (SMD) and subjective concentration deficit (SCD) in medication-free, non-elderly Asians with MDD.
  
  
  METHODS
  The SMD and SCD were assessed by using two items of the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R). Other measurements of interest included the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 515 participants from China, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand, 347 (67.4%) and 377 (73.2%) had SMD and SCD, respectively. In total, 420 participants (81.6%) had SMD alone, SCD alone, and both deficits. Severe depression and poor mental health were significant correlates of SMD. Severe depression, clinically significant disability, poor physical health, and poor mental health were significantly independent correlates of SCD. Compared with young adults (18-34 years), older adults aged 50-65 years had a significantly lower risk of SCD (OR=.33, 95% CI: .19-.57).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Only two SCL-90-R items were used to assess the SMD and SCD. The exclusion of MDD patients treated with psychotropic medications eliminated many patients commonly seen in typical clinic settings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SMD and SCD are prevalent in medication-free, non-elderly Asians with MDD. Both deficits are correlated with depression and mental health status. The independent correlation between SCD and disability underscores the crucial role of SCI in MDD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, 110 Intavarorod Road, Si Poom, Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand. Electronic address: manit.s@cmu.ac.th.
authors.forename: Manit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Srisurapanont
authors.affiliation: Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore; Singapore Clinical Research Institute, Singapore.
authors.forename: Dianne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bautista
authors.affiliation: National Health Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Medical University Shuang-Ho Hospital, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chia-Hui
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Depression Center, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand.
authors.forename: Pichet
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Udomratn
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, 110 Intavarorod Road, Si Poom, Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
authors.forename: Kanokkwan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Eurviriyanukul
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Asian; Cognitive impairment; Depressive disorders; SCL-90-R; Subjective