Handgrip strength and its association with functional independence, depressive symptoms and quality of life in older adults

Bamini Gopinath; Annette Kifley; Gerald Liew; Paul Mitchell

doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2017.09.009

Handgrip strength and its association with functional independence, depressive symptoms and quality of life in older adults

Maturitas. 2017 Dec:106:92-94. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2017.09.009. Epub 2017 Sep 22.

Authors

Bamini Gopinath¹, Annette Kifley², Gerald Liew², Paul Mitchell²

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology and Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia. Electronic address: bamini.gopinath@sydney.edu.au.
² Centre for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology and Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia.

PMID: 29150172
DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2017.09.009

Abstract

We assessed the associations between handgrip strength and functional independence, quality of life and depressive symptoms in 947 participants aged 65 years or over. Handgrip strength was measured with a dynamometer. Use of formal support and family/friend support was self-reported. Activities of daily living (ADL), quality of life and depressive symptoms were assessed using validated scales. Mean handgrip strength was 27.1kg (±10.3). Each 10kg increase in handgrip strength was associated with 39% reduced odds of impaired instrumental ADL. Handgrip strength was inversely associated with use of both formal and family/friend support. Handgrip strength was independently associated with functional independence.

Keywords: Blue Mountains Eye Study; Depression; Functional independence; Handgrip strength; Quality of life; Support services.

MeSH terms

Activities of Daily Living
Aged
Depression / physiopathology*
Female
Hand Strength*
Humans
Independent Living*
Male
Quality of Life*