Abstract
Objectives: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) refers to self- or others-reported concerns about one's cognitive function without evidence of significant objective decline, and is an indicator of dementia risk. There is a lack of consensus on the reliability and validity of currently available SCD measurement tools. Therefore, there is an urgent need to introduce new psychometrically valid SCD measurement tools. We report the psychometric properties of a new SCD measurement tool, the McCusker Subjective Cognitive Impairment Inventory (McSCI-S).
Methods: Based on a review of previously published measures and clinical and research data on people with SCD, we developed a 46-item self-report questionnaire to assess concerns in six cognitive domains: memory, language, orientation, attention and concentration, visuospatial organization, and executive function. The McSCI-S was validated using factor analysis, item response theory (IRT) analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves in 526 participants.
Results: A unidimensional model was found to be a good fit (comparative fit index=0.94, Tucker–Lewis index=0.94, root mean square error of approximation[90% CI]=0.052[0.049, 0.055], weighted root mean square residual=1.45). The internal consistency of the McSCI-S was excellent (α=0.96). A cut-off value of ≥24 is suggested to identify participants with SCD. Higher McSCI-S scores were associated with worse global cognitive function, episodic verbal memory, and executive function, and greater memory complaints and depression scores, after controlling for age, sex, and education level (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Excellent reliability and construct validity suggest that the McSCI-S accurately estimates SCD while capturing self-reported concerns across a range of cognitive domains. Psychometric analyses suggest that this instrument can be used to assess SCD in individual clinical settings as well as in cohort studies.
Methods: Based on a review of previously published measures and clinical and research data on people with SCD, we developed a 46-item self-report questionnaire to assess concerns in six cognitive domains: memory, language, orientation, attention and concentration, visuospatial organization, and executive function. The McSCI-S was validated using factor analysis, item response theory (IRT) analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves in 526 participants.
Results: A unidimensional model was found to be a good fit (comparative fit index=0.94, Tucker–Lewis index=0.94, root mean square error of approximation[90% CI]=0.052[0.049, 0.055], weighted root mean square residual=1.45). The internal consistency of the McSCI-S was excellent (α=0.96). A cut-off value of ≥24 is suggested to identify participants with SCD. Higher McSCI-S scores were associated with worse global cognitive function, episodic verbal memory, and executive function, and greater memory complaints and depression scores, after controlling for age, sex, and education level (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Excellent reliability and construct validity suggest that the McSCI-S accurately estimates SCD while capturing self-reported concerns across a range of cognitive domains. Psychometric analyses suggest that this instrument can be used to assess SCD in individual clinical settings as well as in cohort studies.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e74 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Ewha Medical Journal |
| Volume | 47 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 31 Oct 2024 |