Lean mass, grip strength, and hospital‐associated disability among older adults in Health ABC

• Published in: Alzheimer's & dementia Vol. 18; no. 10; pp. 1898 - 1906
• Main Authors: Abay, Rebecca J. Y., Gold, Laura S., Cawthon, Peggy M., Andrews, James S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.10.2022
• Subjects: activities of daily living; Aged; cognitive impairment; Disabled Persons; grip strength; Hand Strength - physiology; Hospitalization; Hospitals; hospital‐associated disability; Humans; lean mass; Sarcopenia - complications; cognitive impairment; grip strength; lean mass; activities of daily living; hospital-associated disability
• ISSN: 1552-5260; 1552-5279; 1552-5279
• DOI: 10.1002/alz.12527

Introduction Older adults with cognitive impairment, including those with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, are particularly at risk for hospitalization and hospital‐associated disability. Understanding of key risk factors for hospital‐associated disability is limited. Sarcopenia, age‐related declines in muscle mass and strength, is common in older adults with cognitive impairment and may be an important risk factor for hospital‐associated disability. Methods Using data from the Health ABC Study, we examined associations of pre‐hospitalization appendicular lean mass (ALM) and grip strength with the development of a new activity of daily living (ADL) disability at the next annual assessment after hospitalization. Results Grip strength, but not ALM, was negatively associated with increased risk of hospital‐associated ADL disability, and this association was greater among those with cognitive impairment compared to those without. Discussion Lower grip strength may be an important risk factor for hospital‐associated ADL disability in older adults, particularly those with cognitive impairment.