Relationship between Handgrip Strength, Socioeconomic Status and Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults: A Correlation Study

Abstract

Objective: Dynapenia involves decline in a range of functional abilities and phenotypes, many of which
are associated with socioeconomic status (SES) and depressive symptoms. Reduced handgrip strength
(HGS) predicts disability, morbidity and mortality but it is unclear if it is influenced by socioeconomic
factors and depression. This study therefore, aimed to assess SES, depressive symptoms and HGS
among older adults.
Methods: A total of 33 community dwelling older adults aged 65 years and older were recruited in
this cross-sectional study. Kuppuswamy socioeconomic scale, geriatric depression scale (GDS) and
handheld dynamometer were used to assess socioeconomic status, depressive symptoms and handgrip
strength respectively.
Results: The mean HGS was 22.8 kg for men and 17.4 kg for women. In adjusted linear regression
analysis among both men and women SES has a significant association with HGS and depressive
symptoms in older adults. Depressive symptoms were negatively associated with grip strength while
positively associated with SES.
Conclusion: Our results suggest that lower HGS, using standardised age and gender is associated
with depressive symptoms and SES. HGS can be a simple tool and guidelines for health workers and
caregivers to identify and reduce clinical, functional, psychological, social and economic risk factors
for disability