Bidirectional association between handgrip strength and ADLs disability: a prospective cohort study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Aging populations commonly experience reduced handgrip strength (HGS) and increased activities of daily living (ADL) disability.
• The bidirectional relationship between HGS and ADL disability remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the bidirectional associations between HGS and ADL disability in an aging population.
• To explore how HGS influences ADL disability and vice versa over time.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from two waves (2011 and 2015) of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS).
• Defined low HGS using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria.
• Assessed ADL disability using a standardized scale.
• Employed binary logistic regression to examine prospective bidirectional associations, with subgroup analyses by age and gender.

Main Results:

• Low HGS was significantly associated with a higher risk of developing subsequent basic ADL (BADL) disability (OR=1.60) and instrumental ADL (IADL) disability (OR=1.40).
• Baseline ADL disability (both BADL and IADL) was associated with an increased risk of developing low HGS (ORs=1.84 and 1.46, respectively).
• The strength of these bidirectional associations varied across different age and gender subgroups.

Conclusions:

• Confirmed significant bidirectional associations between HGS and ADL disability.
• Highlights the need for interventions targeting both low HGS and ADL disability to prevent their development or progression.