Abstracts

Rationale:
Subjective cognitive complaints are associated with poorer quality of life in individuals with epilepsy, and may influence epilepsy surgical outcome satisfaction. Despite the importance of evaluating subjective cognitive impairment, the field currently lacks a valid method of measuring the construct specifically in individuals with epilepsy. To better understand patient-reported cognitive outcomes, it is imperative to develop a brief measure of subjective cognitive function specific to individuals with epilepsy. As such, the aim of this study was to conduct item reduction of the Memory Assessment Clinics Self-Rating Scale (MAC-S) to create a briefer measure that can be used to quickly evaluate subjective memory complaints in patients with epilepsy.
Method:
A total of 1333 adults with focal epilepsy completed the original 49-item MAC-S. The sample was randomly split into three subsamples, and a series of analyses (i.e., exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and item response theory analyses) was conducted to identify an alternative factor structure, with a reduced number of items. A panel of 5 neuropsychologists independently reviewed the final model to assess appropriateness of each individual item as well as the factor loadings and overall factor structure. Final factor titles were subsequently decided as a group.
Results:
Five factors were identified: Attention, Working Memory, Retrieval, Semantic Memory, and Autobiographical Memory. The length of the MAC-S was reduced from 49 to 30 items, with items being removed because they failed to load onto any of the factors substantially, or because of poor item discrimination or threshold levels.
Conclusion:
The MAC-E is an updated, brief measure of subjective memory functioning that can be used to efficiently assess relevant, every-day memory abilities in patients with epilepsy within both clinical and research settings.
Funding:
:Aspects of this study were supported by the Cleveland Clinic Epilepsy Center.