Hand grip strength and health-related quality of life in postmenopausal women: a national population-based study

Hand grip strength and quality of life among adults aged 50-90 years from South West Poland

With advancing age, progressive loss of muscle strength, as assessed by hand grip strength, may result in a poorer health-related quality of life. The aim of this study is to determine the associations of hand grip strength with quality of life among people aged 50-90 years from South West Poland. The study group comprised 1 446 people, including 351 men and 1 095 women, aged between 50 and 90 years. The WHOQoL-BREF questionnaire was used to assess quality of life. Hand grip strength of the dominant hand was measured. The general assessment of quality of life shows a significant relationship with hand grip strength. Two domains of quality of life: social and environmental also significantly differentiate hand grip strength. As the number of points in given domains increases, the hand grip strength increases. Among men, the relationship between the environmental domain and hand grip strength is significantly stronger compared to women. Hand grip strength is related to the quality of life among older adults, especially in the social and environmental domains. The results of our study suggest that measures need to be taken to improve the strength of skeletal muscles in adults, which might improve their quality of life.

Relative handgrip strength as a vitality measure in US stroke survivors

PURPOSE

Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability in the US, yet a feasible assessment measure with predictive value for components of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) Core Set for Stroke is lacking. The purpose of the present study was to explore the predictive value of potential assessment measures on factors within each ICF component in stroke survivors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Demographic, anthropometric, blood-based biomarker, physical functioning, and Global Physical Activity Questionnaire data were collected on stroke survivors in the 2011-2018 NHANES cycles. Potential predictors (handgrip strength relative to weight, age, sex, race, education level, marital status, poverty ratio, stroke chronicity) of physical function, activities of daily living (ADLs), participation in social activities, metabolic syndrome, and meeting physical activity recommendations were evaluated using weighted linear and ordinal logistic regression.

RESULTS

Relative handgrip strength was a significant predictor of physical function, difficulty participating in ADLs and social activities, and odds of meeting physical activity recommendations. As relative handgrip strength increased, these factors improved among stroke survivors.

CONCLUSIONS

To decrease disability rates and optimize function among stroke survivors, the use of assessment measures like relative handgrip strength that may predict multiple ICF components is warranted.

Association of relative hand grip strength with myocardial infarction and angina pectoris in the Korean population: a large-scale cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Low hand grip strength (HGS) is associated with the risk of cardiovascular diseases, but the association between HGS and myocardial infarction/angina pectoris (MIAP) is unclear. Furthermore, there have been no studies examining the associations of MIAP with anthropometric indices, absolute HGS indices, and relative HGS indices calculated by dividing absolute HGS values by body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), or weight values. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the associations of MIAP with absolute and relative HGS combined with several anthropometric indices.

METHODS

In this large-scale cross-sectional study, a total of 12,963 subjects from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the associations of MIAP with anthropometric indices, absolute HGS indices, and relative HGS indices were computed from binary logistic regression models. We built 3 models: a crude model, a model that was adjusted for age (Model 1), and a model that was adjusted for other relevant covariates (Model 2).

RESULTS

For men, the average age was 61.55 ± 0.16 years in the MIAP group and 66.49 ± 0.61 years in the non-MIAP group. For women, the average age was 61.99 ± 0.14 years in the MIAP group and 70.48 ± 0.61 years in the non-MIAP group. For both sexes, the MIAP group had lower diastolic blood pressure, shorter stature, greater WC, and a greater WHtR than did the non-MIAP group, and women tended to have greater systolic blood pressure, weight, and BMI than in men. HGS was strongly associated with the risk of MIAP in the Korean population. In men, relative HGS indices combined with WC and the WHtR had greater associations with MIAP than did the anthropometric indices and absolute HGS indices. However, in women, anthropometric indices, including weight, BMI, WC, and WHtR, were more strongly associated with MIAP than were absolute and relative HGS indices, unlike in men. When comparing absolute and relative HGS indices in women, relative HGS indices combined with BMI and weight was more strongly related to MIAP than was absolute HGS indices.

CONCLUSIONS

MIAP might be better identified by relative HGS than absolute HGS in both sexes. The overall magnitudes of the associations of MIAP with absolute and relative HGS are greater in men than in women.

Health-related quality of life associated with coexisting chronic conditions in postmenopausal women

We aimed to examine the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS), depressive symptoms, and health-related quality of life in postmenopausal women. We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in naturally postmenopausal women aged 45-65 years using data from the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We classified the participants into four groups: normal (neither MetS nor depressive symptoms), MetS, depressive symptoms, and MetS + depressive symptoms. Compared to the other three groups, the MetS + depressive symptoms group had the worst self-rated health. High fasting glucose, high triglyceride and low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels were the most common in the MetS + depressive symptoms group. After adjusting for covariates, the MetS + depressive symptoms group was more likely to have problems with usual activities and pain/discomfort than the normal group.

Combinatory Effects of Training and Nutritive Administration of Carbohydrates and Protein via Food on Strength in Postmenopausal Women, and Old Men and Women

The age-related loss of muscle mass promotes many impairments. Training and protein supplementation are suggested to prevent muscle wasting, but recommendations for all populations are not based on scientific evidence. This study combines protein/carbohydrate supplementation (PCS) and training for seniors and postmenopausal women. Project A: 51 postmenopausal women (PMW, 57.3 ± 3.0 years old) underwent health-oriented training (12 weeks, moderate-strength training + moderate-endurance training). The intervention group (IG) additionally received 110 g sour milk cheese (SMC) and toast. Project B: 25 women and 6 men (65.9 ± 4.9 years old) performed intense sling training (12 weeks). The IG additionally received 110 g SMC, toast, and buttermilk. Strength was tested before and after in both studies. Project A: there was significant increase in strength, no additional effect of PCS, and a reduction in body fat in the controls. Project B: there was significant increase in strength, significant additional effects of PCS for trunk strength, and a significant reduction in body weight. Combining training and PCS may counteract strength loss. Combined endurance/resistance training is recommended to PMW for whom the benefits of PCS are restricted. Aged subjects may benefit from PCS when training intensely, but these benefits may be strongly individual.

Neuropathic-like Pain Symptoms and Their Association with Muscle Strength in Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain

The relationship between sarcopenia and pain remains unclear; thus, this study evaluated whether muscle strength is independently associated with neuropathic-like pain symptoms in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. A cut-off score of painDETECT ≥13 was used to indicate a possible neuropathic component. Handgrip strength was measured, and muscle mass was estimated. A total of 2599 patients, including 439 patients who reported neuropathic-like pain symptoms (16.9%), were included for analysis. Handgrip strength was significantly lower in patients experiencing neuropathic-like pain symptoms (23.23 ± 10.57 vs. 24.82 ± 10.43 kg, p < 0.001), and this result was chiefly found in female patients. However, there was no difference in estimated muscle mass. Shorter duration of pain, opioid usage, pain in lower limbs, sleep disturbance, and lower handgrip strength were significantly associated with neuropathic-like pain symptoms. In patients with handgrip strength below the reference values by sex, experiencing radiating pain and at least moderate sensory symptoms by light touch and thermal stimulation were more frequently reported. In conclusion, lower handgrip strength appeared to be an independent factor associated with symptoms suggestive of neuropathic pain in this population. Interventional studies are required to determine whether improvement in muscle strength can reduce the neuropathic pain component in chronic musculoskeletal pain.