ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Subjective memory complaints (SMC) are commonly studied in older adults and have been identified as potentially prodromal to dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Studies among younger adults from South America are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of SMC and the factors associated with it among Maule Cohort (MAUCO) participants. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis to estimate the prevalence of SMC and investigated its associated factors from MAUCO baseline data (Nâ=â6,687). Within groups defined by age (38-59, 60-74) and global cognition (Mini-Mental State Examination: ≥26, 25-22, ≤21), multinomial logistic regression models evaluated risk factors for SMC (Yes, Sometimes, No). RESULTS: Overall, SMC prevalence was 16.4%; 15.9% (95% CI 14.9-16.9%) among younger and 17.6% (15.8-19.4%) among older participants. Female sex, comorbidities, and bad/fair self-reported health status (SRHS) were generally associated with higher odds of SMC. CONCLUSION: Overall prevalence of SMC was 16%. Different factors were associated with the odds of SMC depending on age and global cognitive status. Future SMC studies should include sex-specific assessments, evaluate SRHS as a moderator of SMC reporting, and the influence of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on SMC reporting.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Memory Disorders , Male , Humans , Female , Aged , Memory Disorders/etiology , Chile/epidemiology , Prevalence , Rural Population , Cross-Sectional Studies , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/complications , SARS-CoV-2 , Neuropsychological TestsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Although polypharmacy in younger populations is a growing public health concern, most studies addressing polypharmacy focus on elderly populations. Thus, polypharmacy is not yet well understood in younger populations. METHODS: Baseline data from the Maule Cohort (MAUCO) (adults aged 38-74 years) were used to study the prevalence of polypharmacy and associated participant characteristics using logistic and zero-inflated negative binomial regressions. Factors studied include age, sex, self-rated health, education, smoking, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic conditions. RESULTS: Polypharmacy was reported by 10% of participants overall, with higher prevalence among older (≥60 years) vs middle aged (<60 years) participants (overall: 20.9% vs 6.0%, P < .0001; for those reporting any medication use: 30.2% vs 15.9%, P < .0001). Middle-aged adults reported different patterns of medication use by polypharmacy status, while older adults reported similar medication use patterns regardless of polypharmacy. Diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular diseases, hypothyroidism, and osteomuscular diseases were significantly associated with polypharmacy. Analyses also revealed that there are MAUCO participants who are potentially being undertreated for conditions like depression. CONCLUSIONS: Research into medication use among younger and middle-aged adults and development of possible tools to deprescribe medications in this population are warranted. However, it is important that patients who need treatment receive it, and so both potential overtreatment and undertreatment need further study in this population.