Abstract

Abstract Background In the context of an aging population, age-related decline in muscle strength is well recognised, and is associated with functional limitation and increased mortality. However, scarce epidemiological data are available regarding its prevalence, or lifestyle associations at a time when intervention is still possible to retard or prevent loss. We considered these issues in the Hertfordshire Cohort Study, a cohort of late-middle aged community dwelling adults. Methods 2,987 participants were seen in 1999-2004, 1,572 men and 1,415 women. A lifestyle questionnaire was administered that asked about social class, physical activity, diet, co-morbidities and cigarette and alcohol consumption. Grip strength was measured with a Jamar dynamometer, three times on each side with the highest value used. Age related muscle strength decline was defined, according to current convention, as a grip strength <30kg in men and <20 kg in women. Results The mean age of participants was 65.8 (IQR 63.5-67.8) years for men and 66.5 (IQR 64.5-68.7) years for women. Muscle strength decline was more common in women (10.3%) than men (3%); the odds ratio (OR) for age-related muscle strength decline was 3.73 (95%CI 2.66-5.23) in women relative to men (p < 0.001). Factors that appeared protective included higher physical activity scores in men (OR 0.97, 95%CI 0.96-0.99, p = 0.003) and in women (OR 0.97, 95%CI 0.96-0.98, p < 0.001) and a higher prudent diet score in women (OR: 0.74, 95%CI 0.60-0.90 p = 0.003). Muscle strength decline was strongly associated with quality of life in women (p ≤ 0.001) as assessed by SF36 and EuroQoL EQ-5D for all domains, although EuroQOL anxiety/depression and SF36 role emotional were less strongly associated (p-value=0.042, p-value=0.006, respectively). Table 1 shows self-reported impaired ability to move, self-care, perform usual activities and increased pain were associated with higher risk of age-related muscle strength decline in women. Conclusion Age related muscle strength decline was more common in community dwelling women than men, and diet and physical activity were predictors of such decline. Research into effective preventative interventions is now warranted. Disclosures J. Zhang None. F. Laskou None. K. Jameson None. C. Cooper None. E.M. Dennison None.

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