ABSTRACT
Background:
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is recognized as a leading public health problem worldwide which is more prevalent in the elderly population. However, there is paucity of studies investigating muscle function in older adults with CKD. This study aimed to assess the function of upper limb muscles in elderly patients with CKD.
Methods
A case-control study was conducted, including 73 patients with CKD and 73 healthy individuals as a control group. Patients were subdivided into two groups; 37 predialysis patients and 36 patients on regular hemodialysis. History was taken, blood pressure, anthropometric measures, handgrip strength (HGS), were assessed and a blood sample was withdrawn for measuring complete blood count, random blood sugar, lipid profile, renal and liver function tests.
Results
There is a significant decrease in HGS in CKD patients as compared to the control group. Predialysis CKD patients have significantly higher HGS as compared to patients on regular hemodialysis. Both hemoglobin and albumin are positively correlated with HGS. Fasting triglycerides are inversely correlated with HGS.

Conclusions
There is a significant decline in upper limb muscle function in CKD patients. The decline in muscle function is more evident in the hemodialysis than in the predialysis CKD patients.