Correlation between Health-Related Quality of Life and Hand Grip Strength among Older Adults

Background: With advanced age, the progressive loss of muscle strength estimated by the handgrip strength (HGS) may result in a poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Studying this association becomes a vital area of research for promoting aging-well. The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between HRQoL and HGS among community-dwelling older adults above 60 years old.Methods: Participants comprised of 176 older adults (mean age: 68.15 ± 6.74). The HGS was tested with Jamar® Dynamometer, and the EuroQuol-5 Dimensions 5Levels (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire was used to assess HRQoL.Results: Both HGS and HRQoL were negatively correlated with age (p < .001). Lower values of HGS and HRQoL were recorded among older adults who had diagnosed with one or more chronic diseases (p < .001). Significant correlations were recorded between HGS and functioning, and subjective well-being domains of EQ-5D-5L. A relatively higher association was recorded between the functioning variables of EQ-5D-5L and HGS compared to subjective well- being variables.Conclusion: Handgrip strength is a simple and practical measure in identifying older adults at risk of physical decline. Maintaining handgrip strength may contribute to improving HRQoL, and can add an imperative dimension to promote aging-well in older adults ≥60 years old.