Prevalence of subjective cognitive decline and its association with physical health problems among urban community dwelling elderly population in South India

Nearly half of older adults population screened has reported subjective cognitive decline (SCD), highlighting the widespread occurrence of SCD in urban South India. Participants with higher educational attainment had significantly fewer memory complaints and performed better on cognitive assessments. SCD was prevalent even among individuals without major comorbid conditions such as diabetes and hypertension and those who were on regular treatment for metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. Identifying subjective cognitive decline (SCD) can facilitate early and accurate diagnosis of cognitive disorders and help delay progression to dementia. This highlights the importance of developing and implementing improved public health strategies to address these challenges. Further longitudinal studies are necessary to explore the progression of SCD to dementia, focusing on the interplay between cognitive health, biomarkers, and educational factors in the Indian population.