Subjective Memory Complaints in White and African American Participants

Abstract

Objective: Subjective memory complaints (SMCs) are associated with mild cognitive impairment and dementia but are understudied in African Americans (AAs). We compared SMC endorsement in white and AA participants and evaluated predictors of diagnostic progression. Methods: Initial visit variables, including SMC and memory performance, were compared within a cognitively normal race-matched sample of white and AA participants ( N total = 912; 456each race) to assess the presence and predictors of SMC, the predictors of future diagnostic progression, and the change in memory performance over time. Results: More white (32.9%) than AA (24.3%) participants reported SMC ( P < .01, ϕ = −.10). Subjective memory complaint was predicted by memory performance ( B = −0.03, standard error [SE] = 0.013, odds ratio [OR] = .968, P < .05) and race ( B = −0.99, SE = 0.080, OR = .373, P < .001). Subjective memory complaints and memory performance were associated with progression, χ2 (3, n = 912) = 102.37, P < .001. African American race (−2.05 ± 0.24 SE) and SMC (−0.45 ± 0.21 SE) were associated with worse memory performance at baseline and over time, χ 2(3) = 13.54, P < .01. Conclusions: In contrast to previous research, our study found that SMC is associated with diagnostic progression and objective memory declines in both white and AA participants.