Handgrip Strength Seems Not to Be Affected by COPD Disease Progression: A Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Skeletal muscle dysfunction, functional exercise capacity impairment and reduced physical activity are characteristic features in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Assessments addressing muscle strength of the upper limb, such as measurement of handgrip strength (HGS), are rarely performed and reported. We aimed to analyze the course of HGS and possible predictors of changes in HGS over time in COPD. Yearly assessments of various disease markers were performed for a follow-up of up to seven years in a cohort of COPD patients to assess the longitudinal disease process. Data of 194 patients with at least one follow-up measurement were analyzed. HGS decreased significantly by