Nativity differences in the relationship between handgrip strength and cognitive impairment in older Mexican Americans over 20 years of follow-up

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Abstract

Purpose: To examine nativity differences in the relationship between handgrip strength (HGS) and cognitive impairment among Mexican Americans aged ≥ 65 years with normal or high cognitive function at baseline over a 20-year period. Methods: Prospective cohort study of 2,155 non-institutionalized Mexican Americans aged ≥ 65 years from the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiological Study of the Elderly) who scored ≥ 21 in the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) at baseline. Measures included socio-demographics, body mass index, medical conditions, depressive symptoms, physical function, disability, HGS quartiles (sex-adjusted), and MMSE. We used generalized estimating equation models to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) of cognitive impairment (MMSE < 21) as a function of HGS quartile by nativity and adjusted for covariates. Results: US-born and foreign-born participants in the 4th quartile (highest) of HGS at baseline had lower odds of cognitive impairment over time compared with those in the 1st (lowest) HGS quartile (OR=0.95, 95% CI=0.90-0.99 and OR=0.93, 95% CI=0.89-0.98, respectively), after controlling for all covariates. When we analyzed HGS quartiles as time-varying, we found that US-born participants in the 3rd and 4th HGS quartile had 25% and 30% lower odds of cognitive impairment, respectively, while foreign-born participants in the 3rd and 4th HGS quartile had 27% and 49% lower odds of cognitive impairment over time, respectively, after controlling for all covariates. Conclusion: Foreign-born older Mexican Americans who performed high in HGS experienced 7% lower odds of cognitive impairment over time compared with US-born older Mexican Americans.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number104903
JournalArchives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
Volume107
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2023

Keywords

  • Cognitive function
  • Hand grip strength
  • Mexican Americans
  • Nativity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Aging
  • Gerontology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology

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