Association between subjective memory complaints and impaired higher-level functional capacity in people aged 60 years or older

•Higher-level functional capacity is crucial for the elderly to keep independent life.•Subjective memory complaints (SMCs) are subjective awareness of memory loss.•Women with SMCs tended to be impaired higher-level functional capacity.•SMCs can be a useful indicator of impaired higher-level functional capacity.

ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the association between subjective memory complaints and higher-level functional capacity in either people with long-term care needs or those who require help to maintain functional capacity.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study among participants aged 60 years or older. We measured subjective memory complaints, higher-level functional capacity, and depressive symptoms, and then estimated odds ratios (ORs) by multiple logistic analysis. Subjective memory complaints were used as the predictor variable, higher-level functional capacity as the outcome variable, and age, depressive symptoms, medical history of diabetes and hypertension, frequency of going out, falling within a year, and body mass index as possible confounders. We assessed higher-level functional capacity using the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology (TMIG) index of competence score ≤5 as a cut-off (which is associated with higher one-year mortality rates).ResultsWe conducted analyses using 501 people aged 60 years or older. Among women, subjective memory complaints were associated with impaired higher-level functional capacity after adjustment for age and depressive symptoms (OR = 3.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.59–7.08). Among the men, subjective memory complaints were not significantly associated with impaired higher-level functional capacity after adjustment for age and depressive symptoms (OR = 1.91; 95% CI, 0.88–4.12).ConclusionsSubjective memory complaints among women can indicate impaired higher-level functional capacity and may suggest higher one-year mortality rates.