Association of grip strength with dementia in a Korean older population

Several studies have found that low grip strength is associated with dementia in Western populations. However, there have been few studies in Asian populations. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine whether grip strength is independently associated with dementia after controlling for other related factors in a Korean older population.

One thousand thirty-eight community-dwelling older people aged 65 or over within a defined geographic area were screened for dementia. Data on grip strength, sit-to-stand score, body mass index (BMI), socio-demographic factors (age, gender, marital status, education), and medical conditions (diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke) were collected. Dementia was diagnosed with the 10/66 dementia diagnostic algorithm.

Eleven percent of the participants were found to have dementia. After adjustment for other factors, grip strength (per 8-kg decrease) was independently associated with dementia (odds ratio, 1.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.19-2.14). Adjusted grip strength by BMI interaction terms showed marginal significance (p = 0.098); that is, older people with both reduced grip strength and low BMI were likely to be at higher risk for dementia.

Reduced grip strength was independently associated with dementia in a Korean older population. This association was partially influenced by BMI.