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Are memory complaints predictive for dementia? A review of clinical and population-based studies
Jonker C, Geerlings MI, Schmand B.. International journal of geriatric psychiatry, 2000-11-01
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Plain-language summary
Objectives To review studies that have reported on the prevalence of memory complaints and the relationship between memory complaints and impairment or decline (dementia) in elderly individuals. Data sources and study selection All publications in the English language relating to memory complaints, memory impairment, cognitive disorder and dementia in MEDLINE, PSYCHLIT and EMBASE computerized databases, together with a search of relevant citations. Data synthesis The prevalence of memory complaints, defined as everyday memory problems, shows a large variation of approximately 25 - 50%. A high age, female gender and a low level of education are generally associated with a high prevalence of memory complaints. In community-based samples of elderly subjects an association has been found between memory complaints and memory impairment, after adjustment for depressive symptomatology. Memory complaints predict dementia after a follow-up of at least 2 years, in particular in those with mild cognitive impairment, defined as Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) > 23. Memory complaints in highly educated elderly subjects may be predictive of dementia even when there is no indication of cognitive impairment on short cognitive screen tests. The shift in methodology which is noticeable in the recently published major studies is discussed as a possible explanation for the established association between memory complaints and decline in memory (or dementia) in elderly subjects. Three methodological factors, in particular, are responsible for the results: community-based sampling, longitudinal design and the treatment of variables such as depression, cognitive impairment and level of education. Conclusion Memory complaints in elderly people should no longer be considered merely as an innocent age-related phenomenon or a symptom of depression. Instead, these complaints deserve to be taken seriously, at least as a possible early sign of dementia.
What this study adds
Evidence grade: Moderate
This is a follow-up (cohort) study. This review found that memory complaints predict dementia after at least two years of follow-up, especially in people with mild cognitive impairment. It is about predicting dementia, not about treating, curing, or preventing it.
Taken from this record’s own fields, not from reading the paper. The grade is assigned from the abstract’s wording; what that means.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Jonker, C., Geerlings, M. I., & Schmand, B. (2000). Are memory complaints predictive for dementia? A review of clinical and population-based studies. International journal of geriatric psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1002/1099-1166(200011)15:11<983::aid-gps238>3.0.co;2-5
Vancouver
Jonker C, Geerlings MI, Schmand B. Are memory complaints predictive for dementia? A review of clinical and population-based studies. International journal of geriatric psychiatry. 2000. doi:10.1002/1099-1166(200011)15:11<983::aid-gps238>3.0.co;2-5. PMID: 11113976.
BibTeX
@article{jonker2000-11113976,
author = {Jonker, C. and Geerlings, M. I. and Schmand, B.},
title = {{Are memory complaints predictive for dementia? A review of clinical and population-based studies}},
journal = {International journal of geriatric psychiatry},
year = {2000},
doi = {10.1002/1099-1166(200011)15:11<983::aid-gps238>3.0.co;2-5},
pmid = {11113976},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/1099-1166(200011)15:11<983::aid-gps238>3.0.co;2-5}
}
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
Key findings
- A high age, female gender and a low level of education are generally associated with a high prevalence of memory complaints.
- Three methodological factors, in particular, are responsible for the results: community-based sampling, longitudinal design and the treatment of variables such as depression, cognitive impairment and level of education.
Why it matters
This review found that memory complaints predict dementia after at least two years of follow-up, especially in people with mild cognitive impairment. It is about predicting dementia, not about treating, curing, or preventing it.
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Study details
- Study designlongitudinal study
- Evidence strengthModerate
How this study scored 56/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a longitudinal study following the same people over time. Scored zero for sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomized / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (International journal of geriatric psychiatry) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry: journal h-index 190 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 7 / 12 | A longitudinal study following the same people over time |
| Strength of evidence | 3 / 5 | Rated “moderate” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 2000 — older than 20 years, still counted |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomized / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomization or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 6 / 7 | Cited 873 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 4 / 5 | 31.2 citations a year over 28 year(s) since 2000 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 7.7× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 3 / 6 | Cited by 28 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 3 / 4 | Cited 81 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author Ben A. Schmand: h-index 74 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam: institution h-index 1,014 (OpenAlex) |
| Multicenter collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 3 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 11113976) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 56 / 100 | — |
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