Low Handgrip Strength Prevalence Higher in Patients with CKD

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often experience accelerated loss of muscle mass. Muscle wasting is due to with various factors associated with CKD, including nutritional deficiencies, metabolic acidosis, and chronic inflammation. Yae Lim Lee, MD, and colleagues in Seoul, Republic of South Korea, conducted a population-based, cross-sectional study to examine the relationship between CKD and handgrip strength in the Korean population.

The study included 2014-2017 data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey on a nationally representative sample of 18,765 patients ≥19 year of age. Handgrip strength was measured using a digital hand dynamometer. The cutoff for low handgrip strength was determined by deriving –2 standard deviation values of sex-matched health young adults 19 to 39 years of age. CKD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m² or the presence of CKD based on a self-reported questionnaire.

In the total population, the prevalence of CKD was 4.0%. Cutoff values for low handgrip strength were 29.5 kg for men and 16.8 kg for women. In patients without CKD, the prevalence of low handgrip strength was 6.2% compared with 25.2% in patients with CKD. In both men and women, there was a significant association between handgrip strength and eGFR. In multivariate logistic regression adjusted for age, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, there was an independent relationship between CKD and low handgrip strength in men (odds ratio [OR], 1.910; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.468-2.485) and women (OR, 1.570; 95% CI. 1.202-2.052).

“The prevalence of low handgrip strength was higher in patients with CKD. We suggest that the sarcopenia should be evaluated in patients with CKD,” the researchers said.

Source: Lee YL, Heejin J, Lim J-Y, Lee SY. Relationship between low handgrip strength and chronic kidney disease: KNHANES 2014-2017. Journal of Renal Nutrition. doi.org/10.1053/j.jrn.2020.03.002