Subjective Cognitive Decline Higher Among Sexual and Gender Minorities in the United States, 2015–2018

Authors

Jason D. Flatt, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
Ethan C. Cicero, Emory University
Nickolas H. Lambrou, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Whitney Wharton, Emory University
Joel G. Anderson, University of Tennessee, Knoxville College of Nursing
Erin D. Bouldin, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Lisa C. McGuire, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Christopher A. Taylor, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-24-2021

Publication Title

Alzheimer's and Dementia: Translational Research and Clinical Interventions

Volume

7

Issue

1

First page number:

1

Last page number:

10

Abstract

Introduction: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) represents self-reported problems with memory, a possible early sign of dementia. Little is known about SCD among sexual and gender minority (SGM) adults who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender or gender non-binary. Methods: Data were weighted to represent population estimates from 25 states’ 2015–2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to describe SCD in adults ≥ 45 years by SGM status. Logistic regression tested associations between demographic and health conditions. Results: SCD prevalence was higher in SGM (15.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI]:13.1–18.2) than in non-SGM adults (10.5%; 95% CI:10.1–10.9; P < .0001). SGM adults with SCD were also more likely to report functional limitations due to SCD than non-SGM adults with SCD, 60.8% versus 47.8%, P =.0048. Differences in SCD by SGM status were attenuated after accounting for depression. Discussion: Higher prevalence of SCD in SGM adults highlights the importance of ensuring inclusive screenings, interventions, care services, and resources for SGM adults.

Keywords

Population-based sample; Preclinical alzheimer’s disease; Screening; Sexual and gender minorities; Subjective cognitive decline

Disciplines

Gender and Sexuality | Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication

File Format

PDF

File Size

576 KB

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

Repository Citation

Flatt, J. D., Cicero, E. C., Lambrou, N. H., Wharton, W., Anderson, J. G., Bouldin, E. D., McGuire, L. C., Taylor, C. A. (2021). Subjective Cognitive Decline Higher Among Sexual and Gender Minorities in the United States, 2015–2018. Alzheimer's and Dementia: Translational Research and Clinical Interventions, 7(1), 1-10.
Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/trc2.12197