Proposed tool for active systematic search 

Francisco A.C. Vale1, Ari P. Balieiro-Jr2, José Humberto Silva-Filho3 

ABSTRACT. Subjective Memory Complaints (SMC) are frequent among adults and elderly and are associated with poor quality  of life. The etiology and clinical significance of SMCs are unclear, but these complaints are associated with objective cognitive  decline or with depression, anxiety and psychosocial stressors. Biological and physiological brain alterations resembling those  in Alzheimer’s Disease have been found in SMC. SMC can evolve with different outcomes and represent the initial symptom  or a risk factor of dementia. Active systematic search can be useful for early screening of candidates for preventive or  therapeutic interventions. Objective: To propose a Memory Complaints Scale (MCS) as an instrument for actively searching  for memory complaints and to investigate its utility for discriminating demented from cognitively normal elderly. Methods: A  total of 161 patients from a teaching behavioral neurology outpatient unit of a tertiary hospital were studied. The MCS was  used in two ways, by direct application to the patient and by application to the patient’s companion. Cognitive tests assessing  depression and daily living activities were also applied. Results: High Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were found for the two  application methods. Correlations between the two versions and the other instruments administered for patients grouped by  type and severity of dementia were also found. Conclusion: The MCS is a useful scale for identifying memory complaints  and discriminating demented from cognitively normal elderly. Further studies confirming these findings are warranted. 

Key words: subjective memory complaints, memory, psychometric tests, dementia. 

ESCALA DE QUEIXA DE MEMÓRIA (EQM).PROPOSTA DE UM INSTRUMENTO PARA BUSCA ATIVA E SISTEMATIZADA RESUMO. Queixa Subjetiva de Memória (QSM) é frequente entre adultos e idosos e está associada a pior qualidade de vida.  Etiologia e significado clínico são incertos, sendo associada a perdas cognitivas objetivas ou a depressão, ansiedade e  estressores psicossociais. Foram demonstradas alterações biológicas e fisiológicas encefálicas semelhantes às da doença  de Alzheimer. Pode ter diferentes desfechos e representar sintoma inicial ou fator de risco para demência. A busca ativa  e sistematizada pode ser útil na identificação precoce de pessoas que poderão receber intervenções preventivas ou  terapêuticas. Objetivo: Propor a Escala de Queixa de Memória (EQM) como um instrumento para a busca de queixa de  memória e investigar se é útil para discriminar idosos demenciados de normais. Métodos: Foram estudados 161 pacientes  de um ambulatório didático de neurologia comportamental de um hospital terciário. A EQM foi utilizada nas duas formas,  uma diretamente aplicada ao paciente e a outra aplicada ao acompanhante sobre o paciente. Também foram aplicados  testes cognitivos, para depressão e para atividades diárias. Resultados: Foram encontrados altos coeficientes alfa de  Cronbach para as duas formas. Também foram encontradas correlações entre as duas formas e os outros instrumentos,  para os pacientes agrupados conforme tipo e gravidade da demência. Conclusão: A EQM é uma escala útil para identificar  queixa de memória e pode ser útil para discriminar idosos demenciados de normais. Estudos subsequentes deverão ser  realizados para verificar essas informações. 

Palavras-chave: queixas subjetivas de memória, memória, testes psicométricos, demência. 

INTRODUCTION 

The term Subjective Memory Complaint  

(SMC) is used generally to designate a re port of memory problems which may or may  

not be perceived by others, although there is  currently no consensus on a standard defini tion for this symptom. Subjective Cognitive  Complaint (SCC) and Subjective Memory  

Behavioral Neurology Outpatient Unit of the Clínicas Hospital of the Hospital of the Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto  SP, Brazil. 1PhD, Adjunct Professor of Medicine of the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Neurologist, São Carlos SP, Brazil. 2Masters, Assistant Researcher of  the Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology Group of the UFSCar and the Laboratory of Psychological Assessment of the UFAM, psychologist. 3PhD, Adjunct Professor  of the School of Psychology of the Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM), psychologist, Manaus AM, Brazil. 

Francisco A.C. Vale. Federal University of São Carlos / Department of Medicine – Rod. Washington Luís, km 235 / SP-310 – 13565-905 São Carlos SP –  Brazil. E-mail: facvale@ufscar.br 

Disclosure: The authors report no conflicts of interest. Received September 10, 2012. Accepted in final form November 15, 2012.

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Impairment (SMI) are other terms used to describe the  same symptom.1 

SMC is a frequent symptom among adults and el derly the prevalence of which increases with age. Pop ulation-based studies estimate prevalences as high as  46.3% in adults 50-59 years old and 63.4% in older old  80-100 years of age. Female gender and low educational  level have also been associated with higher prevalences  of SMC.2-4 Two Brazilian population samples with differ ent cultural and sociodemographic characteristics, one  located in the Northern and the other in the Southern  region, estimated SMC prevalences at 70.0% and 56.0%,  respectively.5,6 

Data in the literature vary widely regarding the eti ology and clinical significance of SMC, with studies re porting conflicting results. Studies involving population  samples have shown that SMC is associated with im paired performance on memory tests, in elderly without  dementia or depression4,7 and may predict dementia by  up to three years, particularly if associated with objective  memory deficits.8 Other studies however, have associated  SMC with psychosocial stress, anxiety or depression.9,10 

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) includes SMC as a  key diagnostic criterion.11 There is evidence suggesting  that SMC in elderly is a significant risk factor for MCI 12 or for dementia.13,14 

Some studies have shown biological or physiologi cal brain changes in SMC which closely resemble those  seen in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), based on structural,  functional and metabolic neuroimaging,15-18 as well as  electroencephalographic19, magnetoencephalographic,20 genetic,21 and neuropathologic studies.22 A recent study  has shown that hippocampal volumes correlate with  outcomes of memory training interventions in adults  with MCI.23 

In another recent study, cognitive decline was evi dent in subjects from 45 years of age and older.24 How ever, even when individuals report symptoms and ex hibit objective deficit, dementia may not be diagnosed.  

Up to 75% of patients with moderate to severe demen tia may not be identified by the General Practitioner as  having cognitive disorders while up to 97% of patients  with mild cognitive disorders are not identified as hav ing incipient dementia.25 

SMCs in the elderly are associated with poorer qual ity of life and impaired activities of daily living (ADL)26 and generate costs with the utilization of public primary  health care services.27 

Particularly among the elderly, SMC should not be  attributed to a harmless phenomenon of senescence or  a symptom or depression. The condition is polymorphic  

with different outcomes and may represent an initial  symptom of dementia or a risk factor for future demen tia. Therefore, SMC should be taken seriously warrant 

ing a thorough investigation and follow-up.4,28 Active systematic search can be useful for early  screening of at-risk individuals with SMC, enabling  prompt preventive or therapeutic interventions. The aim of this study was to propose a structured  questionnaire (Memory Complaints Scale – MCS) as  an instrument for actively searching for memory com plaints, and to investigate Its utility for discriminating  demented from cognitively normal elderly.  

METHODS 

Casuistic. The study data were collected directly from pa tients aged 60 years and older and also from their com panions, at the Behavioral Neurology Outpatient Unit  of the Clínicas Hospital of the Ribeirão Preto School of  Medicine of the University of São Paulo (ANCP-HCFM RP) over a period spanning 18 months. The sample com prised 161 subjects, 59.0% of female gender. Mean age  was 72.0±7.67 years and mean schooling was 4.6±3.2  years. Of the participants, 5.0% were single, 60.2% mar ried, 3.1% separated and 31.7% widowed. After full clin ical and laboratory assessments, 28.0% of patients were  diagnosed with AD, 26.7% MCI, 16.8% vascular demen tia, 26.1% other dementia types and 2.5% with SMC. 

Instruments. Memory Complaint Scale (MCS). MCS (Ap pendices 1 and 2) has been used as part of the routine  protocols of two teaching outpatient clinics, previously  by the ANCP-HCFMRP29 and currently by the Interdis ciplinary Outpatient Unit of Neurology of the UFSCar  (ANEU-UFSCar).30 The MCS is a scale designed for car rying out a systematic active search for memory com plaints. It comprises a questionnaire containing seven  questions with graded responses of increasing intensity  (0, 1 and 2). The test subject is classified in terms of mem ory complaint (MC) based on their score as follows: No  MC (0-2), mild MC (3-6), moderate MC (7-10) or severe  MC (11-14). The Scale has two versions, one for applica tion directly to the test subject (MCS-A) and another for  application to the companion (MCS-B). Both versions  contain the same items, but the first is a self-report ver sion while in the second the companion describes their  observations concerning the patient’s memory. The in strument explores the frequency of complaints and the  degree these problems impact everyday activities, and  also seeks to compare current memory with that at a  younger age and with the memory of others of similar  age. Both versions were employed in this study.

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Other assessment instruments included in the cited  protocols were: Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE);31,32 Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR);33,34 Words List (imme diate recall, delayed recall and recognition) adapted from  the CERAD;35 Clock Drawing Test;36 Geriatric Depres sion Scale (GDS);37,38 Pfeffer Functional Activities Ques tionnaire (FAQ);39 and Frontal Assessment Battery.40,41 

Procedure. This study was conducted at the ANCP-HCFM RP and approved by the Research Ethics Committee of  the HCFMRP-USP (Under CAAE 0387.0.004.000-07).  This was a correlational prospective correlational study  involving a randomly selected sample drawn from the  casuistic of a specialized outpatient unit of a teaching  hospital. The data were collected on an individual basis  through two visits with the elderly and their companion,  specifically assessing the clinical, cognitive and func 

tional status of the patient. Data were analyzed in an  effort to initially check the validity and reliability of the  MCS-A and MCS-B using Cronbach’s alpha, while also  investigating the item-total correlation. Subsequently,  the data obtained using the two versions of the scale  were stratified into four subgroups by CDR (0, 1, 2 and  3) in order to assess the informative and discriminative  power of the two MCSs (A and B), comparing the results  on the scales against the results found on the MMSE.  The data found in these four groups were submitted to  Multivariate Analysis (ANOVA) in order to identify any  statistically significant differences among them. Finally,  in order to explore the informative and predictive power  of the MCS instruments, correlation studies were per formed between the scores obtained using versions A  and B, and the results on cognitive tests from the proto col of the outpatient unit, specifically on the previously  mentioned tests. 

RESULTS 

Internal consistency of the MCS-A and MCS-B. With regard  to the MCS-A (self-report), a high Alpha coefficient  (0.850) was found along with item-total correlations  greater than 0.512 on the seven items of the scale. With  the regard to the MCS-B (companion report), a similarly  high Alpha coefficient (0.847) was found and item-total  correlations greater than 0.470. The coefficients found  for both scales proved reliable (above 0.080) indicating  good internal consistency of the data. Correlations of  the items with total score of each scale were all greater  than 0.30, indicating that all items had good informa tive properties for the construct investigated, with no  need or desire to remove any of the items from either  scale for adjustment purposes. 

Table 1. Subgroups by CDR. 

CDR Indicators Mean SD 0 (N=43) MCS-A 7.40 4.204 MCS-B 5.58 5.225 

MMSE 23.20 4.468 

1 (N=50) MCS-A 7.74 4.075 MCS-B 9.54 4.372 

MMSE 17.78 4.129 

2 (N=34) MCS-A 5.15 4.009 MCS-B 11.26 3.848 

MMSE 14.78 4.145 

3 (N=23) MCS-A 4.96 3.948 MCS-B 12.09 2.859 

MMSE 7.93 6.070 

CDR: Clinical Dementia Rating; SD: standard deviation.

Analysis of subgroups by CDR. The sample was stratified  into four subgroups by CDR (0, 1, 2 and 3) in order to as sess the informative and discriminative potential of the  MCS-A and MCS-B, comparing the results on the scales  against mean values on the MMSE for each subgroup.  The results shown in Table 1, indicate that the MCS-A  (self-report) had higher memory complaint scores in  milder clinical conditions (CDR 0 and 1) and less intense  scores in more advanced clinical conditions (CDR 2 and  3). Moreover, comparison of the patient self-report  (MCS-A) in the first subgroup (CDR=0) revealed that  in this category, indicating absence of dementia, the  mean memory complaint score was 7.40, higher than  the mean score on the MCS-B (companion report) of  5.58. These results appear to show that, although not  recognized by the companion, a memory problem was  already perceived by the patients even in the absence of  a dementia condition. 

Results showed that, on average, patients with CDR  1 reported an MC closer to CDR 0, whereas the reported  intensity of their complaint reduced progressively at  CDR 2 and 3, suggesting the occurrence of anosogno 

sia, a common symptom in dementia conditions. On  the MCS-B however, a growing number of MCs were re ported accompanying the progression in the dementia  condition. The same trend was evident for MMSE scores  in each subgroup, with decreasing scores as dementia  progressed. Multivariate analysis (ANOVA) comparing  the means for the MCS-A, MCS-B and MMSE among  the four CDR subgroups (0, 1, 2 and 3), confirmed sta 

tistically significant differences between means on the  

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MCS-A (p≤0.05), and likewise for the MCS-B and MMSE  in each group (p≤0.01).  

Significant correlations with other instruments:  Studying the overall sample in search of correlations  between scores on the MCS A and B and the other as sessment instruments revealed various significant cor relations, albeit of weak to reasonable intensities. Most  notable however, were the correlations between scores  obtained on the MCS-B and the Pfeffer Functional As sessment Questionnaire (0.470, p<0.01), and between  the MCS-B and the CDR (0.509, p<0.01) (Table 2). 

Subgroups of the overall sample were also explored  to identify correlations. In the subgroup containing pa tients diagnosed with AD and those with cerebral vascu lar disease, correlations were identified between scores  on the MCS-B and on the Pfeffer-FAQ (0.383, p<0.01);  as well as on the CDR (0.407, p<0.01). In the subgroup  formed by only patients with AD diagnosis, correlations  of 0.497 (p<0.01) between the MCS-B and Pfeffer-FAQ;  and of 0.512 (p<0.01) between the MCS-B and CDR,  were detected. 

Table 2 highlights the statistically significant weak  positive correlations between the MCS-A and perfor mance on cognitive tests, in addition to a positive corre lation (reasonable to good) with depression, suggesting  that cognitively functional individuals seeking neuro logical assistance may have MC which is possibly associ ated to other psychic problems. 

At the same time, statistically significant inverse cor relations were seen (weak to reasonable) between MCS B and performance on cognitive tests. These results sug gest that the higher the MC reported by the companion  

the lower the performance by the patient on cognitive  tests. In addition, a weak inverse correlation was also  observed between MCS-A and age, i.e. in this sample,  the older individuals tended to exhibit fewer MCs. 

DISCUSSION 

A number of different types of validated questionnaires  are available for assessing SMC3,6,13,42-45 but are extensive  or fail to effectively discriminate SMC from dementia.  

A Memory Complaint Scale (MCS) was proposed in  the present study. It was decided to designate the scale  a Memory Complaint (MC) instrument because a sub jective memory complaint, as commonly used in the lit erature, is redundant in the sense that all complaints by  definition refer to a subjective symptom. 

The results of this study showed that the MCS is a  stable, informative and discriminate scale, for both ver sions A and B. These results corroborate previous re ports validating the scale.46-48 

Table 2. Significant Correlations of MCS-A + B with other instruments. MCS-A MCS-B 

Age (N=161) –0.219** – MMSE (N=113) 0.241* –0.321** CDR (N=150) –0.246** 0.470** Words list (Immediate recall) (N=157) 0.241** –0.330** Words list (Delayed recall) (N=154) 0.240** –0.325** Words list (Recognition) (N=146) – –0.272** Clock Drawing Test (N=137) 0.304** –0.246** Functional Assessment Questionnaire (N=161) – 0.509** Frontal Assessment Battery (N=161) 0.247** –0.250** Geriatric Depression Scale (N=144) 0.374** – * p<0.05; ** p<0.01.

Data given in Table 1 shows that elderly without de mentia can complain of memory problems even though  the companion does not recognize them. However, pa tients with mild dementia reported MCs in a similar  manner to those without dementia, where the inten sity of complaints reduced progressively with advanc ing dementia, probably due to anosognosia, a frequent  symptom in dementia conditions.49 Conversely, reports  by the companion increased progressively with advanc ing dementia. The same phenomenon was observed re garding MMSE scores, with progressively lower scores  accompanying the evolution of the dementia. 

In patients with AD, reports by the companion cor related with patient performance on ADLs and severity  of dementia. In preliminary results reported previously,  the MCS was considered a useful tool since although  anosognosic patients self-assessed as having no demen tia, the discrepancy with the assessment by the com panions is itself discriminative. The same holds true for  patients with dementia in general.46,48 

The data contained in Table 2 shows the weak posi tive correlations between patient-reported MCs and  performance on tests of memory and executive func tions. The results also evidence a positive correlation  (reasonable to good) with the depressive symptoms  questioned, suggesting that cognitively functional indi viduals seeking neurological assistance may have MCs  which could be associated to depression. Other studies  in outpatient casuistics have also shown an association  between MCs and depression, as well as with anxiety  and psychosocial stressors.9,10 On the other hand, MCs  are common among adults and often a source of stress  and concern.50 

These findings also showed negative correlations  (weak to reasonable) between patient memory prob 

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lems as reported by the companion and performance on  tests of memory, executive functions and CDR, suggest ing that the worse the patient’s cognitive performance,  the more intense the report by the companion. The  same pattern was seen for patient performance on ac tivities of daily living. Other studies have affirmed that  MCs are associated with performance on memory tests,  even after controlling for number of depressive symp toms.4,7 In addition, a weak negative correlation was  also observed between MCS-A and age, suggesting that  in this sample of patients from a specialized outpatient  clinic, older individuals tended to exhibit fewer MCs.  However, population-based studies suggest that age is  

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48. Balieiro-Júnior AP, Vale FAC, Silva-Filho JH. MCQ – An Instrument to  Assess Memory Complaints. Dement Neuropsychol 2011;5:43. 49. Kashiwa Y, Kitabayashi Y, Narumoto J, Nakamura K, Ueda H, Fukui K.  Anosognosia in Alzheimer’s disease: Association with patient charac teristics, psychiatric symptoms and cognitive deficits. Psychiatry Clin  Neurosci 2005;59:697-704. 

50. Hurt CS, Burns A, Brown RG, Barrowclough C. Perceptions of subjec tive memory complaint in older adults: the Illness Perception Question naire – Memory (IPQ-M). Int Psychogeriatr 2010;22:750-760.

Vale FAC, et al. Memory complaint scale: a new tool 217 

Dement Neuropsychol 2012 December;6(4):212-218 

APPENDIX 

MCS – MEMORY COMPLAINT SCALE 

VERSION A – PATIENT ANSWERS 

Objective: To assess patient’s memory complaint directly with him/her 

Instructions: •  Apply this directly to patient with no intervention from companion 

•  Read aloud in a clear voice 

Q1. Do you have any memory problems? (or “forgetfulness?” or “memory difficulties”)  

( ) No = 0 ( ) Unable to answer/unsure/doubt = 1 ( ) Yes = 2 If answers No, mark 0 and likewise for Q2 and Q3 and skip ahead to Q4 

Q2. How often does this happen? 

( ) Rarely = 0 ( ) Occasionally/sometimes =1 ( ) A lot/frequently = 2 Q3. Does this memory problem hamper (or impair) your daily activities? 

( ) No = 0 ( ) Occasionally/sometimes = 1 ( ) A lot /frequently = 2 Q4. How is your memory compared to others your age? 

( ) The same or better = 0 ( ) Somewhat worse = 1 ( ) Much worse = 2 Q5. How is your memory compared with when you were younger? 

( ) Same or better = 0 ( ) Somewhat worse = 1 ( ) Much worse = 2 Q6. Do you forget what you’ve just read or heard (e.g., in a conversation)? 

( ) Rarely/never = 0 ( ) Occasionally = 1 ( ) Often = 2 Q7. Rate your memory on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 worst and 10 best 

( ) 9 or 10 = 0 ( ) 5 to 8 = 1 ( ) 1 to 4 = 2 Scoring 

Interpretation 

[ ] No MCs (0-2) [ ] Mild MCs (3-6) [ ] Moderate MCs (7-10) [ ] Severe MCs (11-14) 

MCS – MEMORY COMPLAINT SCALE 

VERSION B – COMPANION ANSWERS ABOUT PATIENT 

Objective: To assess memory complaint of patient by companion report 

Instructions: •  Apply with the companion referring to patient 

•  Read aloud in clear voice 

Q1. Does he/she have a memory problem ? (or “forgetfulness?”) 

( ) No = 0 ( ) Unable to answer/unsure/doubt = 1 ( ) Yes = 2 If answers No, mark 0 and likewise for Q2 and Q3 and skip ahead to Q4 

Q2. How often does this happen? 

( ) Rarely = 0 ( ) Occasionally/sometimes =1 ( ) A lot /frequently= 2 Q3. Does this memory problem hamper (or impair) his/her daily activities? 

( ) No = 0 ( ) Occasionally/sometimes = 1 ( ) A lot /frequently = 2 Q4. How is his/her memory compared to others their age? 

( ) The same or better = 0 ( ) Somewhat worse = 1 ( ) Much worse = 2 Q5. How is his/her memory compared with when they were younger? 

( ) The same or better = 0 ( ) Somewhat worse = 1 ( ) Much worse = 2 Q6. Does he/she forget what they’ve just read or heard (e.g., in a conversation)? 

( ) Rarely/never = 0 ( ) Occasionally = 1 ( ) Often = 2 Q7. Rate his/her memory on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 worst and 10 best 

( ) 9 or 10 = 0 ( ) 5 to 8 = 1 ( ) 1 to 4 = 2 Scoring 

Interpretation 

[ ] No MCs (0-2) [ ] Mild MCs (3-6) [ ] Moderate MCs (7-10) [ ] Severe MCs (11-14) The Portuguese version of the Memory Complaint Scale is available at: www. demneuropsy.com.br

218 Memory complaint scale: a new tool Vale FAC, et al. 

EQM – ESCALA DE QUEIXA DE MEMÓRIA  

FORMA A ̶ PACIENTE RESPONDE 

Objetivo: Avaliar a queixa de memória do(a) paciente, diretamente com ele(a)

Instruções  

• Aplique diretamente com o(a) paciente, sem a intervenção do(a) acompanhante • Leia em voz alta e clara  

P1. Você tem problema de memória? (ou “de esquecimento?” ou “dificuldade de memória”)  ( ) Não = 0 ( ) Não sabe responder/indeciso/dúvida = 1 ( ) Sim = 2 Se responder Não, marque 0 também na P2 e na P3 e pule para a P4  

P2. Com que frequência esse problema acontece?  

( ) Raramente = 0 ( ) Pouco/mais ou menos =1 ( ) Muito/frequente = 2 

P3. Esse problema de memória tem atrapalhado (ou prejudicado) suas atividades no dia-a-dia?  ( ) Não = 0 ( ) Pouco/mais ou menos = 1 ( ) Muito/frequente = 2 

P4. Como está sua memória em comparação com a de outras pessoas de sua idade?  ( ) Igual ou melhor = 0 ( ) Um pouco pior = 1 ( ) Muito pior = 2 

P5. Como está sua memória em comparação a quando você era mais jovem?  ( ) Igual ou melhor = 0 ( ) Um pouco pior = 1 ( ) Bem pior = 2 

P6. Acontece de você esquecer o que acabou de ler ou de ouvir (p. ex., numa conversa)?  ( ) Raramente/nunca = 0 ( ) De vez em quando = 1 ( ) Frequentemente = 2 

P7. Dê uma nota de 1 a 10 para sua memória, sendo 1 a pior e 10 a melhor.  

( ) 9 ou 10 = 0 ( ) 5 a 8 = 1 ( ) 1 a 4 = 2 

Pontuação ______  

Interpretação:  

[ ] Sem QM (0-2) [ ] QM leve (3-6) [ ] QM moderada (7-10) [ ] QM acentuada (11-14) 

Vale, Balieiro-Jr & Silva-Filho. Memory complaint scale (MCS): Proposed tool for active systematic search. Dement.  Neuropsychol. 2012;6:212-218

EQM – ESCALA DE QUEIXA DE MEMÓRIA  

FORMA B ̶ ACOMPANHANTE RESPONDE SOBRE PACIENTE 

Objetivo: Avaliar a queixa de memória do(a) paciente por intermédio do(a) acompanhante

Instruções  

• Aplique com o acompanhante referindo-se à(o) paciente. 

• Leia em voz alta e clara  

P1. Ele(a) tem problema de memória? (ou “de esquecimento?”)  

( ) Não = 0 ( ) Não sabe responder/indeciso/dúvida = 1 ( ) Sim = 2 Se responder Não, marque 0 também na P2 e na P3 e pule para a P4  

P2. Com que frequência esse problema acontece?  

( ) Raramente = 0 ( ) Pouco/mais ou menos =1 ( ) Muito/frequente = 2 

P3. Esse problema de memória tem atrapalhado (ou prejudicado) atividades dele(a) no dia-a-dia?  ( ) Não = 0 ( ) Pouco/mais ou menos = 1 ( ) Muito/frequente = 2 

P4. Como está a memória dele(a) em comparação com a de outras pessoas de sua idade?  ( ) Igual ou melhor = 0 ( ) Um pouco pior = 1 ( ) Muito pior = 2 

P5. Como está a memória dele(a) em comparação a quando era mais jovem?  ( ) Igual ou melhor = 0 ( ) Um pouco pior = 1 ( ) Bem pior = 2 

P6. Acontece de ele(a) esquecer o que acabou de ler ou de ouvir (p. ex., numa conversa)?  ( ) Raramente/nunca = 0 ( ) De vez em quando = 1 ( ) Frequentemente = 2 

P7. Dê uma nota de 1 a 10 para a memória dele(a), sendo 1 a pior e 10 a melhor.  ( ) 9 ou 10 = 0 ( ) 5 a 8 = 1 ( ) 1 a 4 = 2 

Pontuação ______  

Interpretação:  

[ ] Sem QM (0-2) [ ] QM leve (3-6) [ ] QM moderada (7-10) [ ] QM acentuada (11-14)   

Vale, Balieiro-Jr & Silva-Filho. Memory complaint scale (MCS): Proposed tool for active systematic search. Dement.  Neuropsychol. 2012;6:212-218

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