Cognitive shadows in perimenopause: linking subjective cognitive decline (SCD) to menopausal symptom severity

Figures & data

Table 1. Baseline characteristics of all participants.

Variables	Total (n = 101)
age (yr)	47.74 ± 2.64
Body Mass Index	22.47 ± 2.72
ln (LH)	3.11 ± 0.87
ln (FSH)	3.79 ± 0.59
ln (Estrogen)	4.05 ± 0.56
ln (Testosterone)	−0.92 ± 0.76
ln (Progesterone)	−1.06 ± 0.47
SCD-Q9 score	4.57 ± 2.29
Modified Kupperman Index	18.90 ± 9.74
Menarche (yr)	13.84 ± 1.68
SCD*—no. (%)
no	38 (0.38)
yes	63 (0.62)
Gravidity—no. (%)
<3^rd	69 (0.68)
> =4rd	32 (0.32)
Parity—no. (%)
<2^nd	68 (0.67)
> =2^nd	33 (0.33)
Race—no. (%)
Han	84 (0.83)
Others	17 (0.17)
Current Marital Status—no. (%)
Living alone	5 (0.05)
Couple household	96 (0.95)
Currently Working—no. (%)
No	43 (0.43)
Yes	58 (0.57)
Education—no. (%)
Upper secondary or less	49 (0.49)
Tertiary	52 (0.51)
Menopause Status—no. (%)
Early-Perimenopause	49 (0.49)
Late-Perimenopause	52 (0.51)

Note: Plus—minus values are means ± SD. The categorical variable SCD, marked with an asterisk (*), is determined based on the SCD-I conceptual framework. The notation ln(var) denotes the natural logarithmic transformation of a variable. Before logarithmic conversion, units for LH (Luteinizing Hormone) and FSH (Follicle-stimulating Hormone) were IU/L, for Estrogen were pmol/L, and for Testosterone and Progesterone were nmol/L. BMI = Body Mass Index; SCD-Q9 score: Score of SCD questionnaire 9 items version; Current marital status includes invisible partnerships; Menopausal Status is defined as one year after the final menstrual period.

Figure 1. Forest plot and tabulated summary of variables - beta coefficients, 95% Confidence Intervals, and associated P-values in relation to SCD-Q9 scores.

Note: The forest plot illustrates the correlation coefficient Beta for each variable in relation to SCD-Q9 scores and their 95% confidence intervals. A Beta greater than 0 indicates a positive correlation with SCD-Q9 scores, whereas a Beta less than 0 indicates a negative correlation. The red dashed line represents the reference line at 0.

Figure 2. Scatter plot illustrating the positive correlation between MKI scores and SCD-Q9 scores.

Note: The fitted line in the scatter plot represents the trend of the relationship between MKI scores and SCD-Q9 scores, indicating a positive correlation.

Table 2. A multivariate linear regression analysis with MKI as the independent variable and SCD-Q9 as the dependent variable.

	Beta	95% CI	Std. error	p-value
Body Mass Index	0.20	(0.06, 0.34)	0.07	<0.01
MKI	0.12	(0.08, 0.16)	0.02	<0.01
Menopause Status	0.38	(–0.41, 1.17)	0.40	0.34

Note: In the multiple linear regression analysis with MKI as the independent variable and SCD-Q9 as the dependent variable, variables other than MKI were included as covariates. The statistical metrics for this model are as follows: F(3, 97) = 17.93, p < 0.01, R² = 0.36, and Adjusted R² = 0.34, indicating the model was successfully constructed.

Table 3. Multifactorial logistic regression analysis with the presence of SCD (determined based on SCD-I criteria) as the dependent variable.

	Odds Ratio	95% CI	Std. error	z	p-value
Body Mass Index	1.25	(1.02, 1.54)	0.13	2.16	0.03
MKI	1.18	(1.09, 1.28)	0.05	4.28	<0.01
Menopause Status	1.46	(0.52, 4.12)	0.77	0.72	0.47

Note: In the logistic regression analysis with MKI as the independent variable and the presence of SCD as the dependent variable, variables other than MKI were included as covariates. The statistical indicators for this model are as follows: LRχ²(3) = 40.00, p < 0.01, Pseudo R² = 0.30, indicating the model was successfully constructed.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy concerns related to human participant data.