title: Decreased handgrip strength and increased hip osteoporosis in patients with Alzheimer`s disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the causes of disability in the musculoskeletal system, and depression in patients with Alzheimer`s disease (AD) and healthy controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case-controlled study in which healthy elderly patients (n=56) and patients with AD (n=75) attending the Geriatric Rehabilitation Unit of Ankara Education and Research Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation were compared on several measures of disability including handgrip strength, knee x-rays graded for osteoarthritis, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry results for osteoporosis, and depression scores in the training period of 2003-2004.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Handgrip strength values were significantly lower in patients with AD compared to the controls (19.4 versus 37 pounds force). Osteoporosis in the femoral neck was also more prominent in patients with AD compared to controls (T-scores: -2.1 versus -1.2). Handgrip strength was moderately correlated with femoral neck T-scores (r=0.6, p=0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Strategies should be developed to protect patients with AD from osteoporosis and reduced muscle strength.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ankara Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Tel. +90 (312) 343 8595. Fax. +90 (312) 363 3396. E-mail: figenardic@gmail.com / figenardic@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Figen
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ayhan
authors.forename: Feray
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Soyupek
authors.forename: Burak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tonuk
authors.forename: Figen
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gokoglu
authors.forename: Rezan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yorgancioglu