Low handgrip strength is a risk factor for symptoms of anxiety and depression in survivors breast cancer patients

To evaluate the association of anxiety and depression symptoms with handgrip strength in women undergoing post-treatment for breast cancer. A cross-sectional study conducted with 146 adult women undergoing post-treatment for breast cancer. The patients were evaluated and answered the self-administered questionnaire Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to assess symptoms of anxiety (HADS-anxiety ≥ 9) and depression (HADS-depression ≥ 9). Handgrip strength (HGS) was measured with a digital dynamometer and was considered low when <16 kg. Descriptive analyses, such as mean and standard deviation, relative frequency, Spearman’s correlation test, and logistic regression were performed to evaluate the difference and correlation and association between anxiety and depression symptoms and HGS, respectively. The incidence of anxiety symptoms was 43.15 % and depression was 32.19 %. In the bivariate analysis, there was an association (p < 0.05) between breast surgery on the dominant hand, greater body weight, and lower HGS are often observed in women with symptoms of depression. Women who presented symptoms of anxiety had 3 times less time in minutes of physical activity per week and lower HGS. A significant association was found in the adjusted model (Anxiety vs. HGS = OR: 2.64, % CI (1.07 – 6.54), p = 0.035; Depression vs. HGS = OR: 5.68, % CI (2.15 – 16.66), p > 0.001). In conclusion, low HGS in breast cancer survivors is an important risk factor for symptoms of anxiety and depression.