PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Ayhan, Figen
AU  - Soyupek, Feray
AU  - Tonuk, Burak
AU  - Gokoglu, Figen
AU  - Yorgancioglu, Rezan
TI  - Decreased handgrip strength and increased hip osteoporosis in patients with Alzheimer’s disease
DP  - 2007 Apr 01
TA  - Neurosciences Journal
PG  - 140--144
VI  - 12
IP  - 2
4099  - http://nsj.org.sa/content/12/2/140.short
4100  - http://nsj.org.sa/content/12/2/140.full
SO  - Neurosciences (Riyadh)2007 Apr 01; 12
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the causes of disability in the musculoskeletal system, and depression in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and healthy controls.METHODS: A case-controlled study in which healthy elderly patients (n=56) and patients with AD (n=75) attending the Geriatric Rehabilitation Unit of Ankara Education and Research Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation were compared on several measures of disability including handgrip strength, knee x-rays graded for osteoarthritis, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry results for osteoporosis, and depression scores in the training period of 2003-2004.RESULTS: Handgrip strength values were significantly lower in patients with AD compared to the controls (19.4 versus 37 pounds force). Osteoporosis in the femoral neck was also more prominent in patients with AD compared to controls (T-scores: -2.1 versus -1.2). Handgrip strength was moderately correlated with femoral neck T-scores (r=0.6, p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Strategies should be developed to protect patients with AD from osteoporosis and reduced muscle strength.