title: Effect of inflammation on handgrip strength in the non-critically ill is independent from age, gender and body composition.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated whether C-reactive protein (CRP) as indicator of acute inflammation is associated with maximal isometric handgrip strength in non-critically ill patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Handgrip strength was measured with Jamar dynamometer in 620 hospitalized patients (56.4±15.9 years old, 52.3% men). CRP was measured with immunoturbidimetric assay. Fat free mass (FFM) was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis. A general linear model regression analysis corrected for confounding variables such as age, sex, FFM, body mass index, comorbidity count and diagnosis category (malignant/benign disease) was performed to test the association between elevated levels of CRP and handgrip strength.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CRP was an independent predictor of grip strength (CRP: β-coefficient: -0.169, P=0.018) even after adjustment for relevant confounders. All groups with inflammation showed significant reduction in handgrip strength, corresponding to a loss of ∼1.6 kg in mild inflammation, 3.2 kg in moderate inflammation and 2.9 kg in severe inflammation compared with patients without inflammation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data demonstrate the independent association between inflammation and handgrip strength in non-critically ill patients. If not corrected, reduced strength may have implications for the patients' functional status and prognosis. Increasing physical activity and resistance training during convalescence are recommended.
authors: 1] Department of Gastroenterology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany [2] Charité Research Group on Geriatrics, Charite University Medicine, Berlin, Germany.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Norman
authors: Department of Gastroenterology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Stobäus
authors: Department of Gastroenterology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Kulka
authors: Department of Gastroenterology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Schulzke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein