147 PRIME-COG study: grip strength, anthropometrics and cognitive decline

Abstract Background Measurement of hand grip strength is a validated measure of physical strength. While anthropometric measurements including waist, hip and mid-upper-arm circumference, are validated for physical health. Evidence has suggested grip strength and anthropometrics to be associated with cognitive impairment and dementia. The relationship between these variables and risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia was investigated in a cohort of 70–90-year-old men residing in Northern Ireland. Methods The PRIME-COG study is nested within the Prospective Epidemiological Study of Myocardial Infarction (PRIME) study. Data collection for PRIME-COG included collection of lifestyle and demographic information. A comprehensive cognitive assessment, anthropometric measurements, and hand grip strength were measured by dementia research nurses from the Northern Ireland Clinical Research Network. Logistic regression models were performed to assess the association between hand grip strength and anthropometric measures and the composite cognitive endpoint MCI/dementia. Results Analysis identified that low hand grip strength was associated with MCI/dementia, although this did not reach statistical significance (OR 1.39, p = 0.18). Larger hip circumference was associated with reduced risk of MCI/dementia in the study population (fully adjusted model, OR 0.93, P = 0.01), while BMI was non-significantly associated with an increased risk (OR 1.22, p = 0.58). Conclusion Within the PRIME-COG cohort, low grip strength was associated with a 39% increased risk of MCI/dementia. Whilst not statistically significant, this supports the importance of grip strength as a clinical tool in the assessment of physical health in older adults. Larger hip circumference was significantly associated with a 7% reduced risk of MCI/dementia, while higher BMI was associated with a 22% increased risk, although this was not significant. Results from this study add to the evidence demonstrating the association between cognitive function and physical well-being.