Subjective memory complaints in the elderly: a sign of cognitive impairment?

OBJECTIVES: Cognitive impairment in the elderly is frequently overlooked by general practitioners. The use of subjective memory complaints as a sign of cognitive impairment by the general practice is controversial. METHODS: Elderly individuals (N = 248) were asked whether they had memory complaints...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Jacinto, Alessandro Ferrari, Brucki, Sonia Maria Dozzi, Porto, Claudia Sellitto, de Arruda Martins, Milton, Nitrini, Ricardo
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2014
País:Brasil
Institución:Universidade de São Paulo (USP)
Repositorio:Clinics
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:revistas.usp.br:article/77111
Acceso en línea:https://www.revistas.usp.br/clinics/article/view/77111
Access Level:acceso abierto
Descripción
Sumario:OBJECTIVES: Cognitive impairment in the elderly is frequently overlooked by general practitioners. The use of subjective memory complaints as a sign of cognitive impairment by the general practice is controversial. METHODS: Elderly individuals (N = 248) were asked whether they had memory complaints and underwent a cognitive impairment screening. Subjects classified as exhibiting “probable cognitive impairment” underwent a complete cognitive evaluation, and the final diagnoses were established by expert consensus. RESULTS: A total of 147 patients presented with subjective memory complaints, and 43 were further classified as demented or “cognitively impaired not demented”. Subjective memory complaints presented a sensitivity of 100% and a negative predictive value of 100%. CONCLUSION: Subjective memory complaints are an indicator for cognitive impairment screening.