Factors Related with Handgrip Strength in Elderly Patients

Background: the aging process causes decreasing in the function of various organs. Skletal muscle is one of the organs affected by aging process. It is known as sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is defined as a syndrome characterized by progressive loss of muscle mass and strength. The handgrip strength examination is often applied as a sarcopenia filtering technique. This study aimed to determine the relationship between age, nutritional status, and chronic diseases such as stroke, hypertension (HT), diabetes mellitus (DM), coronary heart disease (CHD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with handgrip strength. Methods: a cross-sectional study to determine factors related to the handgrip strength in elderly patients was conducted in Geriatric outpatient clinic of Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital and Mohammad Hoesin Hospital from August to October 2015. There were 352 eligible subjects in this study recruited with consecutive sampling. The independent variables in the study consisted of age, sex, nutritional status, chronic disease (stroke, hypertension (HT), diabetes mellitus (DM), coronary heart disease (CHD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)), waist circumference while the dependent variable was handgrip strength. Results: age of more than 75 years old and malnutriton were risk factors that affected hangrip strength. Age of >75 years increase the risk for having low handgrip strength by 2,3-fold. Malnutrition increased risk for low handgrip strength for 1,9-fold. Conclusion: ages of >75 years old and malnutrition will increase the risk of low handgrip strength in elderly patients