The association between handgrip strength and depression in cancer survivors: a cross-section study

Abstract

BackgroundThe association between handgrip strength and depression in cancer survivors was unknown. We aim to examine the associations of handgrip strength and depression in cancer survivors by using public data (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey). MethodsWe combined two waves of the data of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey during 2011-2014 to explore this important issue. The variable of handgrip strength was extracted by the maximum value of each hand. The depressive symptom was assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) with the cut-off >=10 points indicating depressive symptoms. Other characteristics and health-related variables were evaluated. Multivariable logistic regression models were adopted to explore the associations between handgrip strength or low handgrip strength and depressive symptoms by adjusting for potential confounding factors. ResultsThere were 992 cancer survivors in our final analysis, with 456 (45.97%) male and the mean (SD) age of this whole group being 64.75 (14.02) years. The prevalence of low handgrip strength and depression was 20.36% and 13.31%, respectively. The results showed that handgrip strength was negatively associated with depression (OR=0.97,95%CI:0.96-0.99; P=0.01). In addition, after adjusting age, race, education, marital status, sleep disorder, history of stroke, polypharmacy and BMI, cancer survivors with low handgrip strength had a 2.11-fold risk of depression, compared to those with normal handgrip strength (OR=2.11,95%CI:1.19-3.73; P=0.01). ConclusionsLow handgrip strength, simple and modifiable parameter, is associated with a higher risk of depression in cancer survivors. Prospective cohort studies are warranted to confirm this association in the future.