title: Age-related normative values for handgrip strength and grip strength's usefulness as a predictor of mortality and both cognitive and physical decline in older adults in northwest Russia.
abstract: This paper sought to provide normative values for grip strength among older adults across different age groups in northwest Russia and to investigate their predictive value for adverse events.
  
  
  
  A population-based prospective cohort study of 611 community-dwelling individuals 65+. Grip strength was measured using the standard protocol applied in the Groningen Elderly Tests. The cut-off thresholds for grip strength were defined separately for men and women of different ages using a weighted polynomial regression. A Cox regression analysis, the c-statistic, a risk reclassification analysis, and bootstrapping techniques were used to analyze the data. The outcomes were the 5-year mortality rate, the loss of autonomy and mental decline.
  
  
  
  We determined the age-related reference intervals of grip strength for older adults. The 5thand 10thpercentiles of grip strength were associated with a higher risk for malnutrition, low autonomy, physical and mental functioning and 5-year mortality. The 5thpercentile of grip strength was associated with a decline in autonomy.
  
  
  
  This study presents age- and sex-specific reference values for grip strength in the 65+ Russian population derived from a prospective cohort study. The norms can be used in clinical practice to identify patients at increased risk for adverse outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Recherche Santé et Société, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Turusheva
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Frolova
authors.forename: J-M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Degryse
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012426:Russia / Q000453:epidemiology