Factors associated with low handgrip strength in older people: data of the Study of Chronic Diseases (Edoc-I)

Abstract

Background: Handgrip strength (HGS) is an important health biomarker whose low scores have been shown to be associated with the morbimortality. This study aimed to analyze the factors associated with low HGS in older people in Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil. Methods: The study was carried out with data from the Study of Chronic Diseases (EDOC-I)-Older People, a crosssectional household PAPI probability sample survey performed with 1016 people aged over 60 residing in Rio Branco in 2014. The low HGS was defined by the 20th percentile of the maximum HGS by sex and age group. Associations between variables of health status (psychological and physical) and low HGS, by sex, were estimated using logistic regression, expressed by adjusted ORs (aOR). Results: Older individuals had lower median HGS than younger individuals (− 6.0 kg among men and − 2.6 kg among women). Women aged over 80 had, on average, the lower quintile of HGS compared to women of the previous age groups. Factors independently associated with low HGS in men and women, respectively, were low weigh in body mass index [(aOR = 2.80; 95%CI: 1.19, 6.61) and (aOR = 2.61; 95%CI: 1.46, 4.66)], anemia [(aOR = 4.15; 95%CI: 2.09, 8.21) and (aOR = 1.80; 95%CI: 1.06, 3.06)] and diabetes as a risk factor in men (aOR 1.95; 95%CI: 1.00, 3.81). There was a higher chance of low HGS in men with partners (aOR = 2.44; 95%CI: 1.32, 4.51), smokers or former smokers (aOR = 3.25; 95%CI: 1.25, 8.44), with current self-assessment of health worse than the 12 previous months (aOR = 2.21; 95%CI: 1.14, 4.30) and dependence in activities of daily living (aOR = 2.92; 95%CI: 1.35, 6.30). Only among women, there was an increased chance of low HGS associated with altered waist-to-hip ratio (aOR = 1.79; 95%CI: 1.02, 3.12), insomnia (aOR = 1.83; 95%CI: 1.10, 3.03) and physical activity from displacement/occupation (aOR = 1.75; 95%CI: 1.08, 2.84). Conclusion: Factors associated with low HGS are not the same between sexes, and the inclusion of HGS as a component of health assessment seems to be a promising strategy for disease prevention and health promotion.

Grip strength performance from 9431 participants of the GenoFit study: normative data and associated factors

“…Compared to those females with normal grip strength, those with low grip strength had significantly lower lean mass, SMI, BMD and levels of physical activity and significantly higher disease prevalence, while associations in the corresponding males were confined to lower lean mass, SMI and VO2 max. These findings are consistent with previous reports demonstrating stronger associations between low grip strength, BMD and physical activity levels among females, compared to males [ 39 , 40 ]. While we found associations between low grip strength and disease prevalence in males only, and similar associations with CR fitness in females only, two recent studies have reported significant associations between these variables across both sexes [ 38 , 41 ].…”

“…Indeed, our findings suggest the association between CR fitness, physical activity and grip strength may be particularly robust among females. Such postulation is in accordance with existing research, illustrating stronger associations between these domains in females compared with males [ 39 , 46 ]. Nonetheless, evidence supporting the role of physical activity and CR fitness in enhancing grip strength in both sexes is also present [ 38 , 44 , 45 ].…”

Physical frailty and long-term mortality in older people with chronic heart failure with preserved and reduced ejection fraction: a retrospective longitudinal study

“…HGS and 6 MW) and heart failure severity. Although factors associated with low HGS between older men and women are likely to different sociodemographic and behavioral factors, as well as health conditions [ 36 ], the exact reasons were not clear. It had been shown that among the older people in the community the risk factors for declined HGS seemed to be more lifestyle-related for women (e.g.…”

Factors associated with the use of potentially inappropriate medications by elderly people with hypertension

“…When it comes to obesity and altered waist circumference, which we highlight as factors that contribute to the use of PIM, these are inherent to dietary habits and physical activity practices. We emphasize that the elderly's physiological conditions and changes, such as decreased bone mineral density and increased visceral fat, may contribute to the occurrence of other morbidities, potentiating the use of multiple medications, which may cause the prescription of PIM (16,(21)(22)(23)(24) .…”