Low grip strength and gait speed as markers of dependence regarding basic activities of daily living: the FIBRA study

ABSTRACT Objective To determine whether low muscle strength and low gait speed increase the risk of disability related to basic activities of daily living in community-dwelling older adults. Methods A longitudinal study (9 years of follow-up) was conducted with 390 older adults who were independent in basic activities of daily living at baseline and answered the Katz Index at follow-up. Associations were determined using Pearson’s χ2 test with a 5% significance level and logistic regression analysis. Results Increases in prevalence between baseline and follow-up were observed for low muscle strength (17.5%-38.2%), slow gait speed (26.0%-81.1%), and functional dependence (10.8%-26.6%). At follow-up, 11.7% of the participants had concomitant functional dependence, slow gait speed, and low muscle strength. Slow gait speed remained a predictor of dependence in basic activities of daily living (odds ratio=1.90; 95% confidence interval=1.06-3.41). Conclusion Slow gait speed is a predictor of functional dependence, constituting an important variable for screening functional decline.