Memory complaint in a middle-income country: a four-year longitudinal study in a cohort with low-education.

Background:  Memory complaints are frequent in older adults and are associated with higher risk of cognitive decline.

Objective:  To investigate the functional outcome of individuals with memory complaints followed up at primary care centers.

Methods:  Data were collected between 2016 e 2020 in primary health care centers in Brazil. Patients underwent the Brief Cognitive Screening Battery, and the Functional Activities Questionnaire.

Results:  The initial sample (2016) comprised 91 individuals classified into those with subjective cognitive decline (SCD, n = 15), mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n = 45), or dementia (n = 31). During follow-up, 8 individuals (8.8% of the initial sample) died and 26 (28.5% of the initial sample) were not found. Fifty-seven participants underwent clinical reassessment. Of 15 individuals with SCD, 7 were not found (46.7%), 4 (26.7%) progressed to MCI, and 4 (26.7%) remained stable. Of 45 individuals with MCI, 11 were not found (24.4%), 2 (4.4%) died, 6 (13.4%) progressed to dementia, 12 (26.7%) regressed to SCD, and 14 (31.1%) remained stable. Of 31 individuals with dementia, 8 were not found (25.8%), 6 (19.4%) died, 2 (6.5%) regressed to SCD, 7 (22.6%) regressed to MCI, and 8 remained stable (25.8%). Clinical improvement was due to the treatment of reversible causes, such as B12 hypovitaminosis and mood disorders. Older age, lower Mini-Mental State Examination, and higher scores of memory complaint, but not the use of benzodiazepines and of proton pump inhibitors, were predictors of functional status.

Conclusion:  Despite their limits (short sample size, missing data), these results support the idea that adequate screening, follow-up, and treatment of reversible causes of dementia in primary care are essential.