Prevalence and factors associated with dynapenia in older women using different diagnostic criteria

ABSTRACT

Abstract Aim: This study aimed to identify the prevalence and factors associated with dynapenia in older women, considering different cutoff points as diagnostic criteria. Methods: This epidemiological study was conducted with 205 older women (72.7 ± 7.1 years). Dynapenia was diagnosed using the handgrip strength test (HGS) using two cutoff points (< 16 or < 20 kgf). Socio-demographic, behavioral, and health status information was obtained from a specific form; nutritional status was assessed by body mass index, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire identified the level of physical activity. Results: The prevalence of dynapenia was 14.1% (HGS < 16 kgf) and 46.3% (HGS < 20 kgf) (p < 0.001). It was also observed that older women with family income ≤ 1 minimum wage and those with low weight presented, respectively, 2.22 (95%CI 1.12-4.39) and 4.72 (95%CI 1.64-13.58) times higher probability of dynapenia identified by HGS < 16 kgf. Moreover, for the cutoff point < 20 kgf, the probability of dynapenia was higher in women aged ≥ 80 years (PR1.91; 95%CI 1.23-2.95), in insufficiently active women (PR 1.34; 95%CI 1.01-2.57), among those with low weight (PR 1.61; 95%CI 1.01-2.57), and in those who reported falls (PR1.42; 95%CI 1.04-1.96). Conclusion: Therefore, it is concluded that there is a difference between the prevalence and factors associated with dynapenia when different cutoff points are adopted.