Walking Speed, Handgrip Strength and Risk of Dementia and Stroke: The Framingham Offspring Study (S24.003)

Abstract

Objective: We explored the association of two simple office based tests, walking speed (WS) and hand grip strength (HGS), with the risks of incident dementia and stroke/TIA, and with brain MRI and cognition. Background Frailty and lower physical performance are frequent findings in persons with a wide range of subclinical and clinical brain injuries, and have been associated with an increased risk of dementia in the elderly. However, their predictive value in a middle-aged community sample is uncertain. Design/Methods: Stroke- and dementia-free Framingham Offspring (n=2,410; mean age 62, 54% female) had WS, HGS, brain MRI and cognitive function assessed between 1999 and 2005. We related age-standardized HGS and WS to baseline volumetric brain MRI and age- and education-standardized cognitive function using multivariable logistic regression, and to incident stroke and dementia on follow-up using Cox models. All analyses were adjusted for age, sex and vascular risk factors. Results: Over a follow-up period of up to 11years 34 persons developed incident dementia (28 AD) and 79 incident stroke/TIA. Slower WS was associated with a higher risk of dementia (HR=1.50[95%CI 1.07-2.11]/SDU,p=0.020) as well as with lower total cerebral brain volume[TCBV] (β=-0.17±0.06,p=0.007) and poorer performance on tests of memory (visual reproduction[VR],β=-0.06±0.02,p=0.009; paired associate learning[PAS],β=-0.07±0.02,p= Conclusions: In a middle-aged community sample, WS and HGS were associated, respectively, with the risks of incident dementia and of stroke/TIA and with markers of subclinical brain injury. Thus WS and HGS might serve as clinical markers of the need for a more detailed assessment of brain function. Supported by: The dedication of the Framingham Heart Study participants, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute9s Framingham Heart Study (Contract No. N01-HC-25195) and by grants from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NS17950) and the National Institute on Aging (AG08122, AG16495, AG033193, AG031287, P30AG013846). Disclosure: Dr. Camargo has nothing to disclose. Dr. Beiser has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Au has nothing to disclose. Dr. DeCarli has received personal compensation for activities wtih Merck Pharmaceutical, Avanir, Bayer Pharmaceuticals, and Pfizer as a consultant.Dr. DeCarli has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for Alzheimer9s Disease and Associated Disorders.Dr. DeCarli has received research support from Merck. Dr. Pikula has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kelly-Hayes has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kase has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wolf has nothing to disclose. Dr. Seshadri has nothing to disclose.