Association between Hand Grip Strength and Self-Rated Health in Middle- and Old-Aged Korean Citizens

BACKGROUND: To investigate the relationship between hand grip strength (HGS) and self-rated health in middleand old-aged Korean subjects. METHODS: The data used for this study were derived from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging. A total of 9,132 participants were enrolled using the year 2006 as the baseline, with additional data collected throughout the followup period until 2016. Chi-square test and generalized estimating equation regression models were used for data analysis. HGS was measured in a sitting position with the elbow fixed at 90° on both sides using a dynamometer, and calculated using the values measured from both sides. Relative HGS was measured by dividing HGS by the subject’s body mass index. Self-rated health was assessed with the question “How would you rate your current health in general?” and answers were categorized as “excellent,” “moderate,” or “poor.” RESULTS: HGS was shown to be inversely associated with self-rated health (odds ratio [OR], 0.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.93–0.94; P<0.0001). Patients aged 65 years or older with lower scores were more likely to report poor self-rated health. Similar results were obtained with relative HGS (OR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.36–0.45; P<0.0001), but standard HGS had better model fitting (quasi-likelihood under independence model criteria=33,890). CONCLUSION: HGS may be considered an index for the diagnosis of sarcopenia and may also affect self-rated health, which is a multidimensional indicator of an individual’s health status and can identify patients who may require special attention.