Determining functional activity profiles in patients with upper extremity disorders: is there effect modification by...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Orthopedics
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UEMDs) significantly impact quality of life in older women.
• Hand-grip strength (HGS) is a key indicator of overall muscle strength and functional capacity.
• Assessing the relationship between HGS and functional outcomes is vital for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of HGS on the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score in rural women with UEMDs.
• To examine how upper extremity diseases influence functional activity based on HGS levels.
• To determine if grip strength (GS) modifies the impact of upper extremity diseases on functional activity.

Main Methods:

• 239 women over 60 with epicondylitis, rotator cuff tears, or hand osteoarthritis were analyzed.
• Functional activity was measured using the DASH score; muscle strength was assessed by HGS (<18 kg defined as low).
• Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses were employed to evaluate relationships between HGS, DASH scores, and disease prevalence.

Main Results:

• A significant negative correlation was found between HGS and DASH scores (r=-0.320, P<0.001).
• In the low HGS group, waist circumference and DASH scores were correlated (B=-0.526, P=0.010).
• Increased upper extremity diseases correlated with higher DASH scores (2 diseases: B=11.592, P=0.016; 3 diseases: B=15.716, P=0.001).

Conclusions:

• HGS significantly affects health-related quality of life in UEMD patients, as indicated by DASH scores.
• Maintaining adequate hand muscle strength is essential for improving functional activity in age-related UEMDs.
• Interventions aimed at enhancing HGS may be beneficial for managing UEMDs in older women.