1 School of Health, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
2 École de Santé Publique, Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
3 School of Human Nutrition, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
4 HUMA+, Westmount, QC, Canada.
5 PEN- Practice-Based Evidence in Nutrition®, Dietitians of Canada, Toronto, Canada.
6 Département de Nutrition, Faculté de Médicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
7 School of Health, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada. lisa.kakinami@concordia.ca.
8 Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Concordia University, 1455 de Maisonneuve West, Montreal, QC, H3G 1M8, Canada. lisa.kakinami@concordia.ca.

This study assessed the association between arthritis, functional impairment, and nutritional risk (NR). Cross-sectional data were from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, a nationally representative sample of 45-85-year-old community-dwelling Canadians (n = 41,153). The abbreviated Seniors in the Community: Risk Evaluating for Eating and Nutrition II (SCREEN II-AB) Questionnaire determined NR scores (continuous), and high NR (score < 38); the Older American Resources and Services scale measured functional impairment. NR scores and status (low/high) were modelled using multiple linear and logistic regressions, respectively. Analyses adjusted for demographic characteristics, functional impairment, and health (body mass index, self-rated general and mental health). Additional analyses stratified the models by functional impairment. People with arthritis had poorer NR scores (B: - 0.35, CI - 0.48, - 0.22; p < 0.05) and increased risks of high NR (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.06, 1.17). Among those with functional impairment, the likelihood of high NR was 31% higher in people with arthritis compared to those without arthritis (95% CI 1.12, 1.53). Among those with no functional impairment, the likelihood of high NR was 10% higher in people with arthritis compared to those without (95% CI 1.04, 1.16). These relationships differed based on the type of arthritis. Arthritis is associated with high NR in community-dwelling older adults, both with and without functional impairment. Findings highlight the need for further research on these relationships to inform interventions and improve clinical practices.