Comparison of a combination of upper extremity performance measures and usual gait speed alone for discriminating upper extremity functional limitation and disability in older women

Although usual gait speed (UGS) is considered an indicator of overall well-being, it is unclear whether upper extremity performance (UEP) measures provide a similar, additive contribution to functional status. We aimed to identify whether combining UEP measures can more accurately discriminate upper extremity functional limitation (UE limitation) and disability compared to UGS. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis on data from 322 community-dwelling older women, aged 65–96 years. Trained testers assessed UGS, and hand-grip strength (GRIP), functional reach (FR), back scratch, manipulating pegs (PEG), and moving beans with chopsticks as UEP measures. We assessed three functional statuses: UE limitation, activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental ADLs (IADLs) disabilities using self-reported questionnaires. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) were used to compare the discriminating power of UGS, with the individual and combined UEP measures for each status. Among UEP measures, only GRIP (AUC = 0.68 for UE limitation, 0.81 for IADLs disability, and 0.84 for ADLs disability) could accurately discriminate each status as well as UGS (AUC = 0.65, 0.83, and 0.91, respectively). Furthermore, UGS alone could discriminate UE limitation almost as well as the combination of GRIP, PEG, and FR (AUC = 0.70). Combining other UEP measures did not help discriminate further. There were few advantages to combining UEP measures, and UGS or GRIP alone may suffice for assessing UE limitation and disability. However, the UGS should be the test of first choice, certainly more than GRIP, in routine assessment of functional limitation and disability, including UE limitation.