Handgrip strength and health-related quality of life in elderly patients attending physiotherapy clinics

Background. A progressive decrease in muscle mass and consequent muscle strength can lead to disability, morbidity, and mortality. This study aimed to determine the association between handgrip strength and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in elderly patients with medical conditions. Methods: Those aged ≥60 years who attended the physiotherapy clinics between September and November 2016 were invited to participate. Handgrip strength was measured in kg using a Jamar Handgrip Dynamometer. The SF-36 health survey was used to assess HRQOL; lower scores represent greater disability. Results: A total of 142 female and 87 male elderly patients participated. The most common medical condition was osteoarthritis (25.3%), followed by cardiac problems (20.5%), low back pain (17.4%), others (15.7%), stroke (13.1%), fracture (4.4%), and trigger finger (3.5%). In males and females, the most common medical conditions were cardiac problems (36.8%) and osteoarthritis (31.0%), respectively. Compared with females, males had better handgrip strength (24.46 vs. 15.25 kg, p<0.001) and HRQOL in terms of most SF-36 sub-scores. In males, handgrip strength differed significantly in those with different medical conditions (p=0.026); handgrip strength was highest in those with cardiac problems and lowest in those with osteoarthritis. In females, higher handgrip strength was associated with younger age-group (p=0.003, analysis of covariance). In males, handgrip strength was positively correlated with all domains of SF-36. In females, handgrip strength was positively correlated with domains of physical functioning, role physical, social functioning, and physical component summary. Conclusions: Lower handgrip strength is associated with poor HRQOL, particularly physical functioning, among Malaysian elderly patients with medical conditions. Handgrip strength can be used to determine the physical condition of elderly patients.