Low Normalized Grip Strength is a Biomarker for Cardiometabolic Disease and Physical Disabilities Among U.S. and Chinese Adults.
BACKGROUND
Evidence highlights the importance of muscular strength as a protective factor for health and function across aging populations. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which low normalized grip strength (NGS) serves as a biomarker for both cardiometabolic disease and physical disability in U.S. and Chinese adults.


METHODS
Middle aged and older adults from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2012 and 2013-2014 combined surveys (n = 4,544), and the 2011 wave of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (n = 6,030) were included. Strength was assessed using a handgrip dynamometer, and was normalized to body mass. Weighted logistic regression models were used to assess the association between NGS and diabetes, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL-cholesterol, hypertension, and physical disability status, while controlling for age, sex, and sociodemographic characteristics.


RESULTS
Every 0.05 lower NGS was independently associated with a 1.49 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.42-1.56) and 1.17 (95% CI: 1.11-1.23) odds for diabetes; a 1.46 (95% CI: 1.39-1.53) and 1.11 (95% CI: 1.07-1.15) odds of hyperglycemia; a 1.15 (95% CI: 1.07-1.25) and 1.11 (95% CI: 1.08-1.14) odds of hypertriglyceridemia; a 1.22 (95% CI: 1.17-1.27) and 1.15 (95% CI: 1.12-1.18) odds of low HDL-cholesterol; a 1.19 (95% CI: 1.14-1.24) and 1.10 (95% CI: 1.07-1.14) odds of hypertension; and a 1.36 (95% CI: 1.29-1.42) and 1.10 (95% CI: 1.05-1.15) odds for physical disability status in U.S. and Chinese adults, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
NGS was robustly associated with both cardiometabolic disease risk and physical disabilities in U.S. and Chinese aging adults.
Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor.|Global REACH, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor.
Mark D
MD
Peterson
School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Kate
K
Duchowny
Institute for Social Science Survey.
Qinqin
Q
Meng
Institute for Social Science Survey.
Yafeng
Y
Wang
Institute for Social Science Survey.
Xinxin
X
Chen
National School of Development, Peking University, Beijing, China.
Yaohui
Y
Zhao
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
Aging; Diabetes; Disability; Epidemiology; Muscle weakness