title: Subjective memory complaints among patients on sick leave are associated with symptoms of fatigue and anxiety.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to identify symptoms associated with subjective memory complaints (SMCs) among subjects who are currently on sick leave due to symptoms of chronic pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study, subjects (n = 167) who were currently on sick leave were asked to complete an extensive survey consisting of the following: items addressing their sociodemographics, one item from the SF-8 health survey measuring pain, Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, and Everyday Memory Questionnaire - Revised. General linear modeling was used to analyze variables associated with SMCs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Symptoms of fatigue (p-value < 0.001) and anxiety (p-value = 0.001) were uniquely and significantly associated with perceived memory failures. The associations with symptoms of pain, depression, and insomnia were not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subjective memory complaints should be recognized as part of the complex symptomatology among patients who report multiple symptoms, especially in cases of fatigue and anxiety. Self-report questionnaires measuring perceived memory failures may be a quick and easy way to incorporate and extend this knowledge into clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Julie K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Aasvik
authors.affiliation: Hysnes Rehabilitation Center, St. Olav's University Hospital Trondheim, Norway ; National Competence Centre for Complex Disorders, St. Olav's University Hospital Trondheim, Norway ; Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science of Technology Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Astrid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Woodhouse
authors.affiliation: Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology Trondheim, Norway ; Hysnes Rehabilitation Center, St. Olav's University Hospital Trondheim, Norway ; National Competence Centre for Complex Disorders, St. Olav's University Hospital Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Henrik B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Jacobsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology Trondheim, Norway ; Hysnes Rehabilitation Center, St. Olav's University Hospital Trondheim, Norway ; National Competence Centre for Complex Disorders, St. Olav's University Hospital Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Petter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Borchgrevink
authors.affiliation: Hysnes Rehabilitation Center, St. Olav's University Hospital Trondheim, Norway ; National Competence Centre for Complex Disorders, St. Olav's University Hospital Trondheim, Norway ; Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Tore C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Stiles
authors.affiliation: Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology Trondheim, Norway ; National Competence Centre for Complex Disorders, St. Olav's University Hospital Trondheim, Norway ; Clinical Neuroscience Group, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Nils I
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Landrø
keywords: cognitive; complaints; concurrent; sick leave; symptoms