RESUMO
Background: Smoking is a well-known risk factor of frailty. Handgrip strength (HGS) is highly representative of muscular strength and is used in the diagnosis of frailty; however, the relationship between smoking and HGS is not clear. We evaluated the relationship between smoking status and HGS. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the association between HGS and smoking status. Methods: We enrolled adult males between the ages of 19 and 80 years who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VII-VIII. A chi-square test and ANOVA were performed to compare the mean handgrip strength (mean HGS) between non-smokers, ex-smokers, and current smokers. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between the smoking status and mean HGS, and additional analyses were performed by dividing subgroups by age. Results: A total of 7,649 participants were analyzed. When the mean HGS and mean dominant HGS were compared according to smoking status, HGS was higher in the right hand (value of p = 0.03) and left hand (value of p < 0.001) in the order of current smokers, ex-smokers, and non-smokers. Comparing HGS of stronger hands, the mean HGS ex-smokers [aOR, (95% confidence interval): 0.61 (0.46-0.82)] and current smokers: 0.55 (0.38-0.78) was higher than that of non-smokers. When subgroup analysis was performed according to age, current smokers aged >60 years had a higher grip strength than non-smokers. Conclusion: Current smokers had a stronger mean HGS than that of ex-smokers and non-smokers. Current smokers older than 60 years appeared to have a stronger mean HGS than ex-smokers and non-smokers of the same age group.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]) survivors mount as the pandemic continues. To date, studies on persistent symptoms and their effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in mild COVID-19 cases have been limited. METHODS: A prospective online survey was conducted in COVID-19 patients who were admitted to Seongnam Community Treatment Center, an isolation center in South Korea, from November 23rd 2021 to January 2nd 2022. Patients above the age of 19 with no or mild symptoms were included in the study. Total of 147 patients returned to the follow-up survey 3 months after discharge. Baseline demographics, clinical characteristics, symptoms, and EuroQol-5 dimensions-5 levels (EQ-5D-5L) measures were investigated. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range [IQR]) interval period between the initial and follow-up survey was 96.0 (93.0-98.0) days. The median (IQR) age of participants was 51.0 (43.0-61.0). During isolation, 131 (89.1%) patients manifested symptoms. On follow-up, 82 (55.8%) participants remained symptomatic. Common symptoms were constitutional (fatigue, myalgia), neurological (memory impairment, hyposmia, hypogeusia, dizziness), and neuropsychiatric (anxiety) symptoms. Participants with remaining neuropsychiatric symptoms reported the lowest EQ-5D-5L index values. Factors associated with persistent symptoms and diminished HRQoL were identified as female sex, metabolic disease, and anxiety during acute COVID-19 phase. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiopulmonary symptoms improved over time but constitutional, neurological, neuropsychiatric symptoms remained. Patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms (anxiety and insomnia) reported the worst HRQoL. Female sex, metabolic disease, and anxiety during the acute COVID-19 phase were associated with long COVID. Observations of long-term symptoms of COVID-19 with decline in HRQoL and integrated research in COVID-19 survivors are warranted.
