Evaluation of Factors Influencing Handgrip Strength Asymmetry in Older Peruvian Adults

• Published in: Annals of geriatric medicine and research Vol. 28; no. 2; pp. 184 - 191
• Main Authors: Zevallos, Alba, Pajuelo-Vásquez, Renzo, Camacho-Caballero, Kiara, Corcuera-Ciudad, Rodrigo, Goicochea-Romero, Paola, Gutiérrez-Baca, Wendy, Chambergo-Michilot, Diego, Parodi, José F, Runzer-Colmenares, Fernando M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Geriatrics Society 01.06.2024; Korea Geriatrics Society; 대한노인병학회
• Subjects: Accidental Falls - prevention & control; Accidental Falls - statistics & numerical data; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; aging; Female; Frailty - diagnosis; Frailty - epidemiology; Frailty - physiopathology; geriatric assessment; Geriatric Assessment - methods; hand strength; Hand Strength - physiology; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle Weakness - diagnosis; Muscle Weakness - epidemiology; Muscle Weakness - physiopathology; Original; Peru - epidemiology; sarcopenia; Sarcopenia - diagnosis; Sarcopenia - epidemiology; Sarcopenia - physiopathology; 가정의학; Peru; Aging; Sarcopenia; Geriatric assessment; Hand strength
• ISSN: 2508-4798; 2508-4909; 2508-4909
• DOI: 10.4235/agmr.23.0194

Sarcopenia is a musculoskeletal disease involving the reduction of muscle mass, strength, and performance. Handgrip strength (HGS) measurements included in frailty assessments are great biomarkers of aging and are related to functional deficits. We assessed the association between potential influencing factors and HGS asymmetry in older Peruvian adults. We used a database of the Peruvian Naval Medical Center "Cirujano Santiago Távara" located in Callao, Peru. All the patients included were ≥60 years old and had an HGS measurement in the dominant and non-dominant hand. From a total of 1,468 patients, 74.66% had HGS asymmetry. After adjustment, calf circumference weakness (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]=1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.15), falls risk (aPR = 1.08; 95% CI, 1.02-1.16), and an altered Lawton index (aPR=0.92; 95% CI, 0.84-0.99) were associated with HGS asymmetry. Our findings suggest that HGS asymmetry should be measured along with other geriatric assessments used to evaluate health outcomes in the elderly to enhance health promotion and prevention aimed at preserving muscle strength to curb functional limitations in the elderly.