Association between muscle strength and health-related quality of life in a Chinese rural elderly population: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between upper and lower limb muscle strength and the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of a Chinese rural, elderly population. DESIGN: A population-based, cross-sectional study. SETTING: Miyun, Beijing, China. PARTICIPANTS: The participants of this study were 2083 (834 men and 1249 women) older adults from a rural area, (average age of ≥60 years), living in Miyun county, located on the outskirts of Beijing. Data were collected between May and October 2014. Handgrip strength and timed up and go tests (TUGT) were conducted to measure the muscle strength of their upper and lower limbs, respectively. The Euro Quality of Life (Euroqol) (EQ-5D)-Visual Analogue Scale was used to evaluate participants’ HRQoL. RESULTS: A significant association between handgrip strength and the EQ-5D index (β=0.015 per SD, 95% CI: 0.008 to 0.023, p<0.001) was discovered, following adjustments. The association between handgrip strength and the EQ-5D index in the ≥80 years group was found to be stronger than that of the 60–79 years group, following adjustment (β per SD: 0.013 vs 0.035). Similar results were observed when comparing the non-chronic disease group, in terms of TUGT time, against those with chronic diseases. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant relationship between muscle strength (measured via handgrip strength and TUGT time) and HRQoL (measured via EQ-5D index and VAS score) in the Chinese rural elderly population. Furthermore, this relationship was stronger in the older population (aged ≥80 years), and in those participants diagnosed with chronic diseases.