Risk Factors and the Assessment Tools for Subjective Memory Complaints in Asia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: As the aged population is growing worldwide, the topic of subjective memory complaints (SMCs) has become a major interest in the current research on cognitive aging and dementia in Asia. SMC’s relation to dementia is of critical relevance as SMCs were suggested as the first subtle indication of cognitive deterioration before the appearance of preclinical dementia and before actual objective cognitive impairment. AIM: The main questions of this review were to first identify the common risk factors of SMCs in Asia. Second, the assessment tools commonly used in Asia to screen SMCs. METHODS: This systematic review used four databases; Medline, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science. The literature searches were conducted from 2010 to 2021. The search terms strategy for all databases was “SMCs” AND “mild cognitive impairment (MCI)” OR “cognitive impairment” OR “MCI.” A total of 861 papers were found and extracted using preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analyses guidelines. After screening based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 15 studies were identified for the purpose of the current review. RESULTS: Of the 15 studies, 14 were cross-sectional and one was longitudinal. The main risk factors of SMCs in Asia were depression and objective cognitive performance. Other risk factors were problems with adaptive daily functioning, self-rated health and pain, sleep, material hardship, childhood socioeconomic status, social and leisure activities, and gender. The majority of tools used to screen SMCs included a close-ended method with questionnaires in their respective country’s first language. To date, there are no SMCs tools that analyze the cultural impact on the SMCs manifestation in Asia. CONCLUSION: SMCs may be linked to changes in mood and cognition performance. Future studies may consider adopting a longitudinal design and explore quantitative studies as they might also help understand how individuals from various backgrounds manifest their memory difficulties. Besides, further research may consider using both open-ended questions and validated questionnaires to measure SMCs.