(106) Diagnostic Predictive Utility of Perceived Subjective Cognitive Complaints Measured by Ascertain Dementia 8 (AD8)

Objectives: Literature regarding the association between the presence and persistence of subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) and cognitive impairments is inconsistent. Therefore, we examined whether SCCs status (no/non-persistent/persistent SCCs), predicted the risk of developing incident Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).

Methods: Participants were dementia-free community-residing older adults. We assessed SCCs at the baseline visit and via bi-monthly structured phone interviews during the first study year using the Ascertain Dementia 8 (AD8). Non-persistent status required one SCCs endorsement and Persistent status required two or more SCCs endorsements. Cognitive status was determined by established case conference diagnostic procedures. Participants were followed annually up to 5 years. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE), logistic model type, were used to determine the odds of developing MCI during follow-up. The presence and persistence of SCCs served as the three-level predictor. Analyses adjusted for age, sex, education, ethnicity, and health status.

Results: The sample (n= 454; mean age= 75.67 ± 6.43; %female= 55.3) included 245 participants who reported no SCCs, 105 who reported 1 SCCs and 104 who reported 2 or more SCCs. 59 participants developed MCI during follow-up. GEE results showed that compared to no SCCs, persistent SCCs (OR = 3.004, 95% CI = 1.503-6.003, p = .002), and non-persistent endorsements of SCCs (OR = 3.760, 95%CI = 1.946-7.265, p < .001) were significantly associated with increased odds of developing MCI during follow-up.

Conclusions: The presence of SCCs regardless of its persistence was associated with increased odds of developing MCI among older adults.