The Relationship of Hand Grip Strength with Bone Mineral Density and Vitamin D in Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship of hand grip strength (HGS) with bone mineral density (BMD) and vitamin D levels in postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: One hundred thirty one postmenopausal women were included in this study. HGS was measured by Jamar hand dynamometer. BMD was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at lumbar spine and femoral neck sites. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels were measured. Results: The mean age of patients was 61.2±9.2 years. The mean HGS was 22.9 kg and 32 patients (24.4%) had low HGS. Thirty seven patients (28.2%) were osteoporotic and 62 (47.3%) were osteopenic. The mean 25OHD level was 17 ng/mL and 101 (77.1%) patients having vitamin D insufficiency. There was a significant difference in HGS values among groups with osteoporosis, osteopenia, and normal BMD (p=0.016). HGS values demonstrated a positive correlation with T-scores and BMD values at lumbar spine and femoral neck sites (p<0.001, r=0.340; p<0.001, r=0.300; p<0.001, r=0.320; p=0.001, r=0.298, respectively) and negative correlation with age and duration of menopause (p<0.001, r=-0.344; p<0.001, r=-0.318; respectively). However, no significant association was observed between 25OHD levels and HGS (p=0.860, r=0.016). Conclusion: Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis had lower HGS than postmenopausal women with normal BMD, and HGS was significantly correlated with BMD, but not with vitamin D in this population. The patients should be encouraged to increase muscle strength for the risk management of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women

Keywords

• Muscle strength
• hand grip strength
• bone mineral density
• vitamin D