Qian-Li Xue1, Jack M Guralnik2, Brock A Beamer3, Linda P Fried4, Paulo H M Chaves5. 1. Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland. Center on Aging and Health, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland. qxue@jhsph.edu. 2. Division of Gerontology, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. 3. Baltimore VA medical Center Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Centers and the Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. 4. Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York. 5. Benjamin Leon Family Center for Geriatric Research and Education, Department of Medicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study aims to assess the degree and heterogeneity of decline in grip strength in the short term (6 months) and the clinical relevance of short-term decline to long-term decline (2.5 years) in grip strength in disabled older women. METHODS: Eighty-four community-dwelling disabled women aged 65 years or older were evaluated on a weekly basis over 6 months, followed by an additional five semi-annual visits for a total follow-up of 3 years. The study outcome is maximum isometric handgrip strength in the nondominant hand. Linear random effects models were used to characterize population- as well as individual-level change in grip strength over time. RESULTS: In the weekly assessments over the initial 6 months, individual-level short-term change in grip strength was detectable (mean = -0.12 kg/month; p = .06), heterogeneous (range: -2.03 ± 0.95 kg/month), and independent of absolute grip strength at baseline (mean = 18.4 kg). Additionally, among women with grip strength greater than 16.7 kg at baseline, the long-term rate of decline in grip strength was accelerated by 0.15 kg/year (p = .014) for every 0.5 standard deviation (0.25 kg/month) increase in the short-term rate of decline. The baseline absolute grip strength, however, was not significantly associated with the long-term rate of decline (correlation = -0.36, p = .105). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that short-term change in grip strength is detectable and meaningful for disabled older women and it is the individual's past trajectory of grip strength relative to her current strength level, not her current absolute strength per se, that is important for predicting future strength decline.
BACKGROUND: This study aims to assess the degree and heterogeneity of decline in grip strength in the short term (6 months) and the clinical relevance of short-term decline to long-term decline (2.5 years) in grip strength in disabled older women. METHODS: Eighty-four community-dwelling disabled women aged 65 years or older were evaluated on a weekly basis over 6 months, followed by an additional five semi-annual visits for a total follow-up of 3 years. The study outcome is maximum isometric handgrip strength in the nondominant hand. Linear random effects models were used to characterize population- as well as individual-level change in grip strength over time. RESULTS: In the weekly assessments over the initial 6 months, individual-level short-term change in grip strength was detectable (mean = -0.12 kg/month; p = .06), heterogeneous (range: -2.03 ± 0.95 kg/month), and independent of absolute grip strength at baseline (mean = 18.4 kg). Additionally, among women with grip strength greater than 16.7 kg at baseline, the long-term rate of decline in grip strength was accelerated by 0.15 kg/year (p = .014) for every 0.5 standard deviation (0.25 kg/month) increase in the short-term rate of decline. The baseline absolute grip strength, however, was not significantly associated with the long-term rate of decline (correlation = -0.36, p = .105). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that short-term change in grip strength is detectable and meaningful for disabled older women and it is the individual's past trajectory of grip strength relative to her current strength level, not her current absolute strength per se, that is important for predicting future strength decline.
Authors: Carlos F Mendes de Leon; Maria R Hansberry; Julia L Bienias; Martha C Morris; Denis A Evans Journal: Ann Epidemiol Date: 2006-08-01 Impact factor: 3.797
Authors: Anthony P Marsh; W Jack Rejeski; Mark A Espeland; Michael E Miller; Timothy S Church; Roger A Fielding; Thomas M Gill; Jack M Guralnik; Anne B Newman; Marco Pahor Journal: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci Date: 2011-10-05 Impact factor: 6.053
Authors: Thuy-Tien Dam; Katherine W Peters; Maren Fragala; Peggy M Cawthon; Tamara B Harris; Robert McLean; Michelle Shardell; Dawn E Alley; Anne Kenny; Luigi Ferrucci; Jack Guralnik; Douglas P Kiel; Steve Kritchevsky; Maria T Vassileva; Stephanie Studenski Journal: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci Date: 2014-05 Impact factor: 6.053
Authors: Stephanie A Studenski; Katherine W Peters; Dawn E Alley; Peggy M Cawthon; Robert R McLean; Tamara B Harris; Luigi Ferrucci; Jack M Guralnik; Maren S Fragala; Anne M Kenny; Douglas P Kiel; Stephen B Kritchevsky; Michelle D Shardell; Thuy-Tien L Dam; Maria T Vassileva Journal: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci Date: 2014-05 Impact factor: 6.053
Authors: Dawn E Alley; Michelle D Shardell; Katherine W Peters; Robert R McLean; Thuy-Tien L Dam; Anne M Kenny; Maren S Fragala; Tamara B Harris; Douglas P Kiel; Jack M Guralnik; Luigi Ferrucci; Stephen B Kritchevsky; Stephanie A Studenski; Maria T Vassileva; Peggy M Cawthon Journal: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci Date: 2014-05 Impact factor: 6.053