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Memory complaints associated with increased risk for incident stroke
Subjective memory complaints may be an early indicator of stroke risk, particularly in individuals with a higher education level.
A team of researchers studied 9,152 participants from the prospective, population-based Rotterdam study, which assessed residents aged 55 years and older in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. All participants responded to a questionnaire designed to assess memory complaints, underwent cognitive function assessment via the Mini-Mental State Examination, and were screened for dementia at baseline and during follow-up. Follow-up continued until 2012 (111,593 person-years; mean follow-up, 12.2 years).
A total of 1,134 strokes occurred during follow-up, including 663 ischemic strokes and 99 hemorrhagic strokes; the 372 remaining strokes were unspecified.
Analysis adjusted for confounders indicated a significant association between subjective memory complaints and increased stroke risk (HR=1.2; 95% CI, 1.04-1.39), but no association between stroke and elevated Mini-Mental State Examination score (HR=0.99; 95% CI, 0.95-1.02 per 1-point increase). A significant association was also observed between memory complaints and ischemic stroke risk, specifically (HR=1.22; 95% CI, 1.01-1.49).
The link between stroke risk and subjective memory complaints was significantly influenced by education level, according to the researchers. Participants with a higher education level were at increased risk for stroke compared with participants with lower education levels, after adjustment for confounders (HR=1.39; 95% CI, 1.07-1.81).
“This is comparable to a previous finding that the association between subjective memory complaints and Alzheimer’s disease is strongest in highly educated persons. An explanation may be that persons who are highly educated are more likely to notice subtle changes in their cognitive performance than the less educated. This makes the perception of memory changes of highly educated persons a suitable measure to assess subtle cerebrovascular degeneration,” the researchers wrote.
The researchers concluded that these findings affirm “the importance of a single, self-rated question about memory complains that can prompt clinicians to consider screening for and treatment of vascular risk factors.”
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.