Objectives
Sarcopenia is a gradual loss of muscle mass and strength that occurs with aging. This muscle deterioration is linked to increased morbidity, disability, and other adverse outcomes. Although reduced handgrip strength can be considered a marker of sarcopenia and other aging-related decline in the elderly, there is limited research on this physical health problem in at-risk groups with common biopsychosocial conditions such as depression. Our primary objective was to ascertain level of combined handgrip strength and its relationship with depression among adults aged 60 years and older.
Design
Unadjusted and adjusted linear regression models were conducted with a cross-sectional survey dataset.
Setting
Secondary dataset from the 2011–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
Participants
Community-dwelling, non-institutionalized adults ≥ 60 years old (n=3,421).
Measurements
The predictor variables included a positive screen for clinically relevant depression (referent=PHQ-9 score <10). The criterion variable of combined handgrip strength (kg) was determined using a dynamometer.
Results
Mean age and BMI were 69.9 years (51.5% female) and 28.8 kg/m2, respectively. Mean combined handgrip strength in the overall cohort was 73.5 and 46.6 kg in males and females, respectively. Three hundred thirty-six (9.8%) reported symptoms of depression. In unadjusted and fully adjusted models, depression was significantly associated with reduced handgrip strength (B = −0.26±0.79 and B = −0.19±0.08, respectively; p<0.001).
Conclusion
Our findings demonstrate handgrip strength has a significant inverse association with depression. Future longitudinal studies should investigate the causal processes and potential moderators and mediators of the relationships between depression and reduced handgrip strength. This information may further encourage the use of depression and handgrip strength assessments and aid in the monitoring and implementation of health care services that address both physical and mental health limitations among older adult populations.
JLS patients have some impairment in skin disease-specific HRQOL when compared with a healthy reference population, but not as severe as that seen in AD patients. Overall HRQOL in this JLS cohort was as good as healthy controls, a reassuring finding for patients, families and healthcare providers.
aPL-associated chorea occurs most often in women and severity is mild to moderate. Clinical expression of chorea does not differ between those with and without SLE. Anticoagulation should be reserved for thrombosis treatment and not simply for chorea in the presence of aPL, as 2 patients died of bleeding. The absence of IgM aCL in patients with APS supports prior evidence that IgG aCL and lupus anticoagulant may be the more clinically relevant antibodies for thrombosis. However, IgM aCL may be important in patients with chorea.
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