Empirical evaluation of the ‘Cognitive Difficulties Scale’ for assessment of memory complaints in general practice: A study of 1628 cognitively normal subjects aged 45–75 years

Abstract

Abstract The Cognitive Difficulties Scale (CDS, McNair and Kahn, 1984) was used to assess memory complaints in 1648 subjects devoid of severe medical or psychiatric disorder. The subjects, aged 45–75 years, were recruited when visiting their general practitioner. The CDS was well accepted and showed a good and stable factorial structure. A weak correlation was found between CDS score and the results of a short neuropsychological battery. A high CDS score was associated with advancing age, low educational level, and psychological motives for visiting. A reduced 26‐item version is proposed to shorten the time required to fill in the scale.