Quality of life and subjective health status according to handgrip strength in the elderly: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

ABSTRACTObjectives: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine potential associations between handgrip strength and health-related quality of life, or subjective health status, in the elderly.Method: We performed secondary data analysis on 2377 elderly individuals aged >65 years. Raw data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VI (2014–2015), were drawn from a representative national sample.Results: Of those aged ≥65 years or older, 25.4% had low handgrip strength. After adjusting for confounding variables, the odds ratios of elderly individuals with low handgrip strength were 1.30 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00–1.69) for mobility, 2.18 (95% CI: 1.47–3.22) for self-care, 1.70 (95% CI: 1.30–2.23) for usual activities, 1.30 (95% CI: 1.01–1.67) for pain/discomfort, 1.03 (95% CI: 0.74–1.44) for anxiety/depression, 1.44 (95% CI: 1.10–1.87) for the EQ-5D index, and 1.37 (95% CI: 1.08–1.73) for subjective health status.Conclusion: Health-related quality of life and subjective health status differ according to handgrip strength. Therefore, handgrip strength should be addressed to improve quality of life in elderly individuals. Elderly individuals require exercise education and adequate nutritional intake to increase handgrip strength.