Background: Handgrip strength is a simple method that reflects elderly general health and physical function. Several factors can affect HGS. It is important to determine these factors to provide preventive measures. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of chronic comorbidities on handgrip strength (HGS).
Methods: Data was collected from 154 elderly ≥ 60 years old patients during admission in a geriatric hospital. Each was subjected to history taking, BMI, mood, cognitive, nutritional, and assessment of the risk of fall by (TUG)Test. Handgrip strength assessment (HGS) using Jamar hydraulic hand dynamometer, the participants were in the seated position, elbow at 90°, handle adjusted to the second position. They applied the maximum grip strength for 3 to 5 s for three times, one minute apart. The maximum HGS was collected from the right hand as it was the dominant hand in all participants.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 69.416 ±7.841, and the right HGS mean was (12.935±7.663). The number of comorbidities ranged from no comorbidities up to 7 comorbidities, the study investigated the effect of common comorbid conditions on HGS.
Increased age, being females, cognitive impairment, malnutrition, underweight, morbid obesity, and prolonged TUG had a significant negative impact on HGS. Regarding different chronic comorbidities, DM and stroke had significantly weaker HGS. While COPD patients had significantly higher grip strength.
Conclusion: Numerous variables can affect HGS, this includes advancing age, female gender, cognitive impairment, malnutrition, low BMI, morbid obesity, prolonged TUG, and certain chronic comorbidities such as DM, and stroke.