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Updated: Oct 8, 2025
Measurement of Spatial Stability in Precision Grip
Published on: June 4, 2020
Lean mass, grip strength, and hospital-associated disability among older adults in Health ABC
Rebecca J Y Abay1, Laura S Gold2, Peggy M Cawthon3
1Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
Introduction:
Older adults with cognitive impairment, including those with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, are particularly at risk for hospitalization and hospital-associated disability. Understanding of key risk factors for hospital-associated disability is limited. Sarcopenia, age-related declines in muscle mass and strength, is common in older adults with cognitive impairment and may be an important risk factor for hospital-associated disability.
Methods:
Using data from the Health ABC Study, we examined associations of pre-hospitalization appendicular lean mass (ALM) and grip strength with the development of a new activity of daily living (ADL) disability at the next annual assessment after hospitalization.
Results:
Grip strength, but not ALM, was negatively associated with increased risk of hospital-associated ADL disability, and this association was greater among those with cognitive impairment compared to those without.
Discussion:
Lower grip strength may be an important risk factor for hospital-associated ADL disability in older adults, particularly those with cognitive impairment.
