Lean mass, grip strength, and hospital-associated disability among older adults in Health ABC.

Abstract

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. 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. 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. Lower grip strength may be an important risk factor for hospital-associated ADL disability in older adults, particularly those with cognitive impairment.