Poor or declining handgrip strength（握力） in the oldest old is associated with poor survival and may be used as a tool to assess mortality（死亡率） , found an article in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) (pre-embargo link only) http://www.cmaj.ca/embargo/cmaj091278.pdf. The fastest growing segment（段，部分） of the elderly population is the group older than 85 years, classified as the oldest old. Low handgrip strength has been consistently linked to premature¹（不成熟的，早产的） mortality, disability and other health complications in middle-aged² and older people. Handgrip strength, a simple bedside tool, can be an alternative way of measuring overall muscular（肌肉的） strength.

This study included 555 individuals from the Leiden 85-plus survey of all 85 year olds in Leiden, The Netherlands. Their handgrip strength was measured at 85 years and then again at 89. The CMAJ study, led by researchers from The Netherlands, found that low handgrip strength, both at 85 and 89 years, and a greater decline in strength over time are associated with increased all-cause mortality. The researchers also found that handgrip strength has a greater impact on mortality as people age.

"The oldest old population has been underrepresented（代表名额不足的，未被充分代表的） in previous studies," write Dr. Carolina Ling, Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics and coauthors. "The objective of this study was to assess the association between muscular strength and mortality in the oldest old."

The underlying³ reasons why muscle strength and mortality are linked are not well known. The authors were unable to determine if muscle strength had a direct effect on mortality or if it was associated with other factors ultimately leading to death.

The authors conclude that measuring handgrip strength may not only identify older people at risk of a disability but may also aid in the survival of the elderly by being able to apply the correct strategies to help maintain muscle strength.

In a related commentary http://www.cmaj.ca/embargo/cmaj100004.pdf, Dr. Allen Huang, geriatrician（老年病学专家） at the McGill University Health Centre writes that the global population is getting older, and the fastest growing segment includes people 80-years and older. Society and the health care system need to acknowledge the rapid growth of this age group and prepare to meet its potential needs.

"Handgrip strength is an easy measurement for clinicians to obtain," states Dr. Huang, who is also an Associate Professor at the McGill University Faculty⁴ of Medicine. "Handgrip dynamometers（测力计） , though not commonly found in physicians' offices, are simple, low maintenance（少量维护保养） devices."