Malnutrition and Handgrip Strength are Correlated in Community Dwelling Elderly

Aim: Hand grip strength (HGS) is a useful tool to assess the nutritional status of the elderly. The aim of the study is to explore the relationship between nutritional status and hand grip strength in the elderly. Method: 195 patients over the age of 65 were included. 60 were malnourished, 65 were at the risk of malnutrition and 70 were well–nourished. Patients Underwent Mini Nutritional Assessment–Short Form (MNA–SF), Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living (Katz Index ADL) and Lawton&Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (Lawton&Brody IADL). One way ANOVA was used to compare more than two independent samples with normal distribution. To be able to reveal a linear relationship between variables Pearson’s correlation was used. Results: Well–nourished elderly had higher scores in HGS (p=0.003), Katz Index ADL (p=0.004) and Lawton&Brody IADL (p=0.003). A moderate to high positive correlation was observed between HGS and MNA–SF (p=0.001, r:0.654), a weak to moderate correlation was between MNA–SF and Body Mass Index (BMI) (p=0.001, r:0.346). Conclusion: Handgrip strength should be an essential part of the physical examination in the elderly.