Handgrip strength and associated factors in older adults: Baseline phase findings of the Ardakan Cohort Study on Aging, Iran

BACKGROUND: Handgrip strength has been proposed as an indicator of overall body strength. Low handgrip strength in older ages is associated with a number of health-related outcomes. PURPOSE: This study was aimed to investigate the prevalence of low handgrip strength and associated factors among individuals age 50 years and above. STUDY DESIGN: A population-based cross-sectional study. METHODS: This study was conducted among 3007 participants with the mean age of 62.1 ± 7.8, between 2020 and 2022. Low handgrip strength was defined as a handgrip strength of <28 kg for men and <18 kg for women. A chi-square and independent sample t-test was used for comparing categorical and quantitative variables. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with low handgrip strength. RESULTS: The prevalence of low handgrip strength was 16.8%. In multivariable regression analysis of men age (OR = 1.09 (95%CI: 1.07, 1.11)), wrist circumference (OR = 0.91 (95%CI: 0.83, 0.99)), and iron deficiency anemia (OR = 1.9 (95%CI: 1.1, 3.4)) remained significantly associated with low handgrip strength. Whereas, in women, age (OR = 1.05 (95%CI: 1.03, 1.08)) showed a significant association. CONCLUSIONS: Low handgrip strength showed a high prevalence; and was associated with age, wrist circumference, and iron deficiency anemia in men, while with age in women.