LAUSR

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the nutritional markers (Vitamin D, homocysteine, n−3PUFA) status of older subjects aged 70 years and older with subjective memory complaint, according to their physical and cognitive function. Main outcome measures This study is a secondary analysis of the MAPT study. Subjects were classified into four groups: 1) Physical limitation with cognitive impairment (PLCI), 2) cognitive impairment (CI), 3) physical limitation (PL) and 4) no physical or cognitive deficits (NPCD). Baseline nutritional characteristics of the four groups according to Vitamin D (n = 732), Omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n−3PUFA) (n = 1537) and plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) (n = 729) status were investigated. Analysis was performed taking continuous and dichotomized value for Vitamin D insufficiency ([25(OH)D] < 30 ng/ml, high homocysteine level (tHcy ≥ 15 &mgr;mol/L) and low n−3PUFA (DHA + EPA ≤ 4.82%) nutritional markers for clinical relevance. Results PLCI group showed the lowest mean level of Vitamin D and highest level tHcy compared to the other groups. In multivariate analysis, taking continuous nutritional markers, only high Vitamin D was associated with reduced likelihood of PLCI (OR 0.97, 95% CI (0.95 to 0.99) P = 0.011). While taking the dichotomized values the group with low levels of n−3PUFA showed higher likelihood of PL only (OR 1.55, 95% CI (1.12 to 2.15), P = 0.009). Furthermore, our sensitivity analysis for Vitamin D with cut‐off [25(OH)D] < 20 ng/ml,(i.e., Vitamin D deficiency), showed more likelihood of PL (OR 1.62, 95% CI (1.01 to 2.60) P = 0.046), CI (OR 1.90, 95% CI (1.16 to 3.10) P = 0.010), and highest likelihood of PLCI (OR 1.99, 95% CI (1.21 to 3.28) P = 0.006). Conclusion In older adults with subjective memory complaints, Vitamin D deficiency status may present higher likelihood of functional deficits, including coexisting or separate physical and cognitive decline. While older adults with low level of n−3PUFA were more likely to demonstrate physical decline only. HighlightsNutritional status of older adults with coexisting physical and cognitive limitation is least studied, which we have explored to some extent.Vitamin D deficient older adults may have higher likelihood of coexisting physical limitation with cognitive impairment.Older adults with Low levels of Omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid have higher likelihood of physical limitation only.