P3-123: Daytime sleepiness and hearing impairment are stronger predictors of subjective memory complaints than objective cognitive function

Background: Although subjective memory complaints (SMC) are prevalent in old ages, clinical correlates of SMC are not well understood. Objective(s): We aimed to describe the clinical correlates of SMC in the community living elderly. Methods: Among 1283 randomly selected elderly subjects, 906 households were eligible and 682 subjects participated. Subjective memory complaints were assessed by subjective memory complaint questionnaire (SMCQ), which consists of 14 items reflecting general memory function and everyday memory function. Variables associated with SMC including cognitive function, depressive symptoms, hearing impairment and daytime sleepiness were evaluated by trained research nurses using Geriatric Health Assessment Package (GHAP). Bivariate associations between SMCQ and clinical variables were investigated using simple linear regression analysis. To determine which variables were independently associated with SMCQ and its two subscales, stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was performed for each scale. Results: The following were associated with SMC in simple linear regression analysis: cognitive function, depressive symptoms, visual and hearing impairment, excessive daytime sleepiness, activities of daily living function, history of urinary incontinence, fall and pain (p<0.05). In stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, excessive daytime sleepiness and hearing impairment were independently and consistently associated with SMC after controlling for objective cognitive function and depressive function. Moreover, these noncognitive variables were stronger predictors of SMC than objective cognitive function. Conclusions: Among elderly subjects in the general population, noncognitive variables including daytime sleepiness and hearing impairment were associated with SMC independent of depression and objective cognitive function. Moreover, association of SMC with daytime sleepiness and hearing impairment was stronger than that of cognitive function. Our results suggested that SMC are not a simple reflection of objective cognitive function. Thus, clinicians should carefully evaluate the multiple noncognitive domains when elderly subjects report memory complaints.