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Subjective Cognitive Decline: Level of Risk for Future Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment, a Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies
Pike KE, Cavuoto MG, Li L, Wright BJ, Kinsella GJ.. Neuropsychology review, 2021-11-08
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) in older adults has been identified as a risk factor for dementia, although the literature is inconsistent, and it is unclear which factors moderate progression from SCD to dementia. Through separate meta-analyses, we aimed to determine if SCD increased the risk of developing dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Furthermore, we examined several possible moderators. Longitudinal studies of participants with SCD at baseline, with data regarding incident dementia or MCI, were extracted from MEDLINE and PsycINFO. Articles were excluded if SCD occurred solely in the context of dementia, MCI, or as part of a specific disease. Pooled estimates were calculated using a random-effects model, with moderator analyses examining whether risk varied according to SCD definition, demographics, genetics, recruitment source, and follow-up duration. Risk of study bias was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS)-2 tool. 46 studies with more than 74,000 unique participants were included. SCD was associated with increased risk of developing dementia (HR = 1.90, 95% CI 1.52-2.36; OR = 2.48, 95% CI 1.97-3.14) and MCI (HR = 1.73, 95% CI 1.18-2.52; OR = 1.83, 95% CI 1.56-2.16). None of the potential moderating factors examined influenced the HR or OR of developing dementia. In contrast, including worry in the definition of SCD, younger age, and recruitment source impacted the OR of developing MCI, with clinic samples demonstrating highest risk. SCD thus represents an at-risk phase, ideal for early intervention, with further research required to identify effective interventions for risk reduction, and cognitive-behavioural interventions for cognitive management. PROSPERO, protocol number: CRD42016037993.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Pike, K. E., Cavuoto, M. G., Li, L., Wright, B. J., & Kinsella, G. J. (2022). Subjective Cognitive Decline: Level of Risk for Future Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment, a Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies. Neuropsychology review. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11065-021-09522-3
Vancouver
Pike KE, Cavuoto MG, Li L, Wright BJ, Kinsella GJ. Subjective Cognitive Decline: Level of Risk for Future Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment, a Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies. Neuropsychology review. 2022. doi:10.1007/s11065-021-09522-3. PMID: 34748154.
BibTeX
@article{pike2022-34748154,
author = {Pike, K. E. and Cavuoto, M. G. and Li, L. and Wright, B. J. and Kinsella, G. J.},
title = {{Subjective Cognitive Decline: Level of Risk for Future Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment, a Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies}},
journal = {Neuropsychology review},
year = {2022},
doi = {10.1007/s11065-021-09522-3},
pmid = {34748154},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s11065-021-09522-3}
}
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Key findings
- SCD was associated with increased risk of developing dementia (HR = 1.90, 95% CI 1.52-2.36; OR = 2.48, 95% CI 1.97-3.14) and MCI (HR = 1.73, 95% CI 1.18-2.52; OR = 1.83, 95% CI 1.56-2.16).
Why it matters
This meta-analysis of 46 studies found that subjective cognitive decline was associated with increased risk of developing dementia and mild cognitive impairment. It identifies a risk marker but does not test any treatment or prevention.
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Study details
- Study designmeta-analysis
- Effect sizeHR = 1.90; OR = 2.48; HR = 1.73
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 63/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a meta-analysis pooling many studies. Scored zero for sample size and studied in people because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Neuropsychology review) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | Neuropsychology Review: journal h-index 143 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 12 / 12 | A meta-analysis pooling many studies |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 3 / 5 | 2022 — within 6 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 3 / 3 | Effect reported with a statistic (interval, p-value, ratio or similar) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | A review of other studies — randomisation is not credited here |
| Times cited | 5 / 7 | Cited 258 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 4 / 5 | 43.0 citations a year over 6 year(s) since 2022 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 7.1× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 2 / 6 | Cited by 7 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 4 / 4 | Cited 207 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Glynda Kinsella: h-index 45 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | La Trobe University: institution h-index 557 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 34748154) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 63 / 100 | — |
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