Affective symptoms and risk of progression to mild cognitive impairment or dementia in subjective cognitive decline: A systematic review and meta-analysis

• Higher depressive symptoms in subjective cognitive decline (SCD) does not elevate risk of mild impairment (MCI) or dementia. anxiety SCD-related worry MCI This may be a symptom incipient dementia underpinned by the dysregulation HPA axis. These findings indicate group individuals traditionally labelled ‘worried well’ who are at increased progression. benefit from interventions targeted reducing anxiety. To systematically review literature on outcomes for with concurrent affective symptoms. conduct meta-analysis to establish whether either higher levels progression SCD Five databases were searched inception February 2021 longitudinal studies older adults SCD, reporting and baseline follow-up. Data extracted pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. Twelve identified. Pooled effect sizes indicated did increase clinical (RR = 0.98; 95 % CI: 0.75–1.26) 0.69; 0.27–1.79). However, presence significantly objective 40 1.40; CI:1.20 – 1.63). Affective form anxiety, but symptoms, SCD. Further research should focus establishing psychological aimed also reduce