지역사회 거주 노인에서 신체 기능 지수와 악력의 관련성

Abstract

Background: There are some studies that declined muscle power emerged as an early markers for age-related physical disability. However those studies had a limitation that they did not use quantitative and objective tools in assessing physical function. Furthermore there has been no study conducted in the Korean elderly. This study aimed to investigate the association between hand grip power and declined physical function in community dwelling elderly. Methods: A total of 77 community dwelling apparently healthy old people who can carry out daily life independently were recruited in this study. History taking, blood sampling and physical examination were obtained. Depression was assessed by the 15-item geriatric depression scale (GDS), and cognitive function was examined by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). We also measured hand grip power and physical performances (gait speed, chair-stand times, tandem standing times). Results: Hand grip power was positively correlated with physical performance score (r=0.49, P＜0.0001). After adjustment of confounding factors using step-wise multiple regression analysis, hand grip power, age and serum cortisol levels were significantly associated with physical performance score (β=0.14, P＜0.0001; β=−0.11, P=0.0006; β=−0.20, P=0.03, respectively). Conclusion: Hand grip power was independently associated with physical performance score. The result suggests that the declined physical function in the elderly may be assessed easily by measuring hand grip power in clinical setting.