Abstract
ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the association between various chronic diseases, multimorbidity, and handgrip strength in community dwelling older adults in Southern Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study carried out with 477 older adults (60 years and older) who resided in Antônio Carlos, Santa Catarina state. Subjects aged 60-79 years were selected by probability sampling (n=343) and all subjects aged 80 years or older (n=134) were evaluated. Chronic diseases were identified by self-report. A mechanical dynamometer verified handgrip strength (i.e., the outcome). Adjustments variables were age, literacy, living arrangement, smoking, body mass index, cognitive function, and comorbid chronic diseases. Sex-stratified analyses were conducted with simple and multiple linear regression. Results: A total of 270 women (73.2±8.8 years) and 207 men (73.3±9.0 years) were assessed. In the adjustment analysis, cancer (β=-3.69; 95%CI=-6.97 to -0.41) and depression (β=-1.65; 95%CI=-3.20 to -0.10) were associated with lower handgrip strength in women. For men, diabetes (β=-5.30; 95%CI=-9.64 to -0.95), chronic lung disease (β=-4.74; 95%CI=-7.98 to -1.50), and coronary heart disease (β=-3.07; 95%CI=-5.98 to -0.16) were associated with lower handgrip strength values. There was an inverse trend between number of diseases and handgrip strength for men only. Conclusion: The results showed an independent association between chronic diseases and handgrip strength. As such, handgrip strength is a valid measure to use for prevention or intervention in chronic disease and multimorbidity.
Highlights
The multimorbidity or simultaneous presence of disease of cognitive and physical functional limitations[1] is a common problem in older adults
The results showed an independent association between chronic diseases and handgrip strength
Handgrip strength is a valid measure to use for prevention or intervention in chronic disease and multimorbidity
Summary
The multimorbidity or simultaneous presence of disease of cognitive and physical functional limitations[1] is a common problem in older adults. In Brazil, data from the 2003 Brazilian National Household Sample Survey showed that 75.5% of Brazilian older adults had at least one chronic disease and 64.4% had more than one disease[2]. The presence of chronic diseases is associated with a reduction in muscle strength[3]. It is suggested that multimorbidity may create synergistic interactions between the diseases, increasing the risk of reduced muscle strength[4]. The mechanisms underlying this relationship are still unclear. Nutritional depletion, reduced physical activity, and inflammatory condition[5] are some of the potential factors that mediate this relationship
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