Associations Between Vision, Hearing, and Olfactory Impairment With Handgrip Strength

• Published in: Journal of aging and health 2020-08, Vol.32 (7-8), p.654-659
• Main Authors: Gopinath, Bamini, Liew, Gerald, Burlutsky, George, Mitchell, Paul
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Hand Strength - physiology; Health technology assessment; Hearing Loss - diagnosis; Hearing Loss - physiopathology; Humans; Male; Olfaction disorders; Olfaction Disorders - diagnosis; Olfaction Disorders - physiopathology; Psychomotor Performance; Sex Factors; Vision Disorders - diagnosis; Vision Disorders - physiopathology
• ISSN: 0898-2643; 1552-6887
• DOI: 10.1177/0898264319843724

Objectives: We aimed to assess the cross-sectional associations between sensory impairments (vision, hearing, and/or olfactory loss) and handgrip strength. Method: In the Blue Mountains Eye Study, 947 participants aged 65+ years had handgrip strength measured using a dynamometer. Visual impairment was defined as visual acuity 25 dBHL (500-4,000 Hz). Olfaction was measured using the San Diego Odor Identification Test. Results: Marginally significant associations between sensory impairment and handgrip strength were observed after multivariable adjustment. For example, women with two or three sensory impairments had lower adjusted mean handgrip strength (17.47 ± 0.5 kg) versus women who had no sensory loss (18.59 ± 0.3 kg; p = .06) or only one sensory impairment (18.58 ± 0.3 kg; p = .05), respectively. No significant associations were observed in men. Discussion: Women who had multiple sensory impairments had reduced muscle strength as indicated by ~1.1 kg lower mean handgrip strength.