Relationship of Multimorbidity, Obesity Status, and Grip Strength among Older Adults in Taiwan

Ming-Hsun Lin, Chun-Yung Chang, Wu Der-Min, Chieh-Hua Lu, Che-Chun Kuo and Nain-Feng Chu
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Ming-Hsun Lin: National Defense Medical Center, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei 114, Taiwan
Chun-Yung Chang: National Defense Medical Center, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei 114, Taiwan
Wu Der-Min: National Defense Medical Center, School of Public Health, Taipei 114, Taiwan
Chieh-Hua Lu: National Defense Medical Center, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei 114, Taiwan
Che-Chun Kuo: Department of Internal Medicine, Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital, Taoyuan City 325, Taiwan
Nain-Feng Chu: National Defense Medical Center, School of Public Health, Taipei 114, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 14, 1-11

Abstract: Background : The combination of multiple disease statuses, muscle weakness, and sarcopenia among older adults is an important public health concern, and a health burden worldwide. This study evaluates the association between chronic disease statuses, obesity, and grip strength (GS) among older adults in Taiwan. Methods : A community-based survey was conducted every 3 years among older adults over age 65, living in Chiayi County, Taiwan. Demographic data and several diseases statuses, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers, were collected using a questionnaire. Anthropometric characteristics were measured using standard methods. Grip strength was measured using a digital dynamometer (TKK5101) method. Results : A total of 3739 older individuals were recruited (1600 males and 2139 females) with the mean age of 72.9 years. The mean GS was 32.8 ± 7.1 kg for males and 21.6 ± 4.8 kg for females. GS significantly decreased most in males with cerebrovascular disease (from 33.0—29.5 kg, p < 0.001) and in females with diabetes mellitus (from 21.8—21.0 kg, p < 0.01). GS was highest in older adults with obesity (body mass index ? 27 kg/m 2 ); however, there was no significant change of GS as the disease number increased. Conclusion : Older adults who have two, rather than one or greater than three chronic diseases, have significantly lower GSs than those who are healthy. Stroke and CKD for males, and hypertension and diabetes for females, are important chronic diseases that are significantly associated with GS. Furthermore, being overweight may be a protective factor for GS in older adults of both sexes.

Keywords: disease status; weight status; grip strength; older adults (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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