Cognitive shadows in perimenopause: linking subjective cognitive decline (SCD) to menopausal symptom severity

Abstract

Objective

As women approach perimenopause, the incidence of Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) rises. This study aims to investigate the association between SCD and the severity of perimenopausal symptoms.

Setting

Conducted at The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University Menopause Clinic from November 2022 to June 2023. Participants, aged 40-55 years, were classified as perimenopausal using the STRAW + 10 criteria.

Methods

SCD was assessed separately using the Chinese version of the SCD-Q9 scale and the SCD International Working Group (SCD-I) conceptual framework, while perimenopausal symptoms were evaluated with the Modified Kupperman Index (MKI). Linear relationships between MKI scores and SCD-Q9 scores were clarified using both univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses. Additionally, a multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the association between MKI scores and SCD classification based on SCD-I criteria.

Main Outcome Measures

The primary outcomes were the Modified Kupperman Index scores, SCD-Q9 questionnaire scores, and the diagnosis of SCD based on SCD-I criteria.

Results

Among 101 participants, the average MKI score was 18.90 ± 9.74, and the average SCD-Q9 score was 4.57 ± 2.29. Both univariate and multivariate linear regressions demonstrated a positive correlation between these scores. A multivariate Logistic regression analysis, using MKI as the independent variable and SCD-I criteria classification as the dependent variable, revealed a significant positive association.

Conclusions

A notable association exists between SCD and perimenopausal symptoms severity. This underscores the potential clinical importance of addressing perimenopausal symptoms to mitigate SCD risks in women. Further studies should focus on clarifying the causality between these factors.

Keywords:

• Modified Kupperman Index
• perimenopausal women
• perimenopausal symptoms
• Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD)
• SCD-Questionnaire 9

Acknowledgement

The authors thank all the participants of this work.

Ethics approval

This study adhered to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The Ethics Committee of The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, People’s Republic of China, approved the study (Approval Number: 2023 no.406).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy concerns related to human participant data.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Guizhou Provincial Science and Technology Projects (qkhjc-ZK[2023]yb351).