Handgrip strength predicts disability in older emergency department patients: a prospective cohort study

Abstract

Objective: This study assessed handgrip strength as a predictor of disability in activities of daily living in older emergency department patients 60 and 90 days after discharge. Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted in the emergency department of a tertiary university hospital in Brazil. The sample consisted of 320 patients aged ≥ 65 years who were assessed within 48 hours of admission. The Katz Index was used to assess activities of daily living performance, and handgrip strength was measured with a hydraulic dynamometer. Participants were followed up 60 and 90 days after hospital discharge. The variables were entered into a bivariate regression analysis model. Results: A total of 177 (55.3%) patients had reduced handgrip strength according to EWGSOP2 criteria. After 60 days, disability occurred in 17.8% and 5.6% of those with reduced and normal HGS, respectively (OR 3.94; 95%CI 1.52 – 10.19, p = 0.005). After 90 days, disability occurred in 15.1% and 4.1% of those with reduced and normal HGS, respectively (OR 4.44; 95% CI 1.50 – 13.14, p = 0.007). Conclusions: Dynamometric measurement of HGS should be performed in all older emergency department patients to detect those at greater risk of medium-term disability