Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplements and cognitive decline: Singapore Longitudinal Aging Studies.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the association between long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) supplements intake and cognitive decline in an older Chinese population.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
The Singapore Longitudinal Aging Studies (SLAS), a community-based study in urban region of Singapore.


METHODS
1,475 Chinese adults aged ≥ 55 years.


METHODS
Omega-3 PUFA supplements intake and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were assessed at baseline. MMSE was re-assessed at a median of 1.5 years after baseline and cognitive decline was defined as at least 2-points drop in MMSE score from baseline to follow-up. Odds ratios (ORs) of association between n-3 PUFA supplements intake and cognitive decline were calculated in logistic regression models controlling for baseline confounding variables.


RESULTS
Daily n-3 PUFA supplements intake was significantly (p=0.024) associated with lower risk of cognitive decline (OR=0.37, 95% C.I. 0.16-0.87) after controlling for age, gender, education, number of medical comorbidity, the presence of vascular risk factors/diseases, smoking, alcohol drinking, depression, APOE e4 allele carrier status, nutritional status, level of leisure activities, baseline MMSE and length of follow-up. The association remained significant (p=0.015) after excluding participants with baseline cognitive impairment (MMSE < 24), diabetes, stroke, and cardiac diseases (OR=0.23, 95% C.I. 0.07-0.75). No statistically significant association (OR=1.02, 95% C.I. 0.81-1.27) of fish consumption with cognitive decline was found.


CONCLUSIONS
Daily n-3 PUFA supplements consumption was independently associated with less cognitive decline in elderly Chinese.
Gerontological Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
Q
Q
Gao
M
M
Niti
L
L
Feng
K B
KB
Yap
Tze Pin
TP
Ng
D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012846:Singapore
D004041:Dietary Fats; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3
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