Handgrip and its relation to age, fragility fractures, and BMD between sexes in a population aged 50+ years

Introduction:
A decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) accompanied by muscle weakness during aging significantly increases the probability of low-energy fracture occurrence, but it can also happen in those with a non-osteoporotic score (treatment gap). To improve the identification process of those at risk, the authors proposed using the interconnectivity between bone mineral density and muscle tissue.

Material and methods:
A total of 20,776 patient records were collected from the database in the period 2008-2021. After applying inclusion criteria, a total of 7159 records were used in the study. Questionnaires regarding patients’ history were collected at admission. Patients underwent lumbar spine and/or femoral neck DXA examination and handgrip testing with a handheld dynamometer. Statistical analysis was conducted using tests suitable for the distribution of the data.

Results:
Osteoporosis was diagnosed in a total of 1914 patients. Depending on the diagnosis there was a significant (p < 0.001) difference in handgrip strength (HGS) between the BMD statuses (norm-osteopenia-osteoporosis). HGS was significantly (p < 0.001) correlated with both BMD neck (r = 0.2) and spine (r = 0.1) in females, and with BMD neck (r = 0.11) in the male population. In our study group HGS was significantly (p < 0.001) higher for all the analysed fractures in the no-fracture group of women. There was no such relationship in reference to the male population.

Conclusions:
Due to its relationship with BMD, its low cost, and availability, HGS might prove useful in identifying women at risk of a fragility fracture.