Influencing factors of weak grip strength and fall: a study based on the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS)

BACKGROUND: Fall is a major cause of mortality and cause a significant burden on the healthcare system and economic system. Weak grip strength signifies impaired function. Older people with weak grip strength are at a higher risk of death. China has the largest ageing population in the world today. This study aims to analyze the factors contributing to weak grip strength and fall among Chinese. METHODS: This study analyzed data from the 2011 baseline and 2015 follow-up survey of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). To identify the risk factors of fall and weak grip strength, we used a stepwise multivariable logistic regression model and a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression model. RESULTS: In the LASSO regression model, all the risk factors were not shrunken. In the stepwise logistic regression model, adjusted for gender, age, grip strength, depression, and chronic disease, we found that female (aOR = 1.376, 95% CI = 1.243–1.523; P < 0.001), history of ischemic stroke (aOR = 1.786, 95% CI = 1.263–2.524; P = 0.001), depression (aOR = 1.559, 95% CI = 1.396–1.742; P < 0.001), weak grip strength (aOR = 1.285, 95% CI = 1.105–1.494; P = 0.001), older age (aOR = 1.227, 95% CI = 1.163–1.294; P < 0.001), rheumatoid arthritis (aOR = 1.410, 95% CI = 1.270–1.560; P < 0.001), history of kidney disease (aOR = 1.383, 95% CI = 1.136–1.682; P = 0.001) were factors associated with fall significantly. After further adjusting, we found the risk factors of weak grip strength included symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (aOR = 1.755, 95% CI 1.158–2.661; P = 0.008), living in rural area (aOR = 2.056, 95% CI 1.290–3.277; P = 0.002), depression (aOR = 1.523, 95% CI 1.116–2.078; P = 0.008), older age (aOR = 2.116, 95% CI 1.801–2.486; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: From the study, we found that older age and depression were risk factors of weak grip strength and fall. Weak grip strength was a risk factor of fall. Female, ischemic stroke, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis were risk factors of fall; living in rural area and symptomatic knee osteoarthritis were risk factors of weak grip strength. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-14753-x.