What can hand grip strength tell us about type 2 diabetes?: mortality, morbidities and risk of diabetes

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Hand grip strength (HGS) has been determined as a simple and cost effective method for evaluating overall skeletal muscle strength and quality. It has been used in numerous clinical studies to examine the association between skeletal muscle and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Previous studies have shown that HGS is significantly associated with mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with T2D. As the prevalence of T2D has seen a steady increase globally, HGS measurement can be useful and essential in managing T2D.

Areas covered

This narrative review summarizes the current evidence regarding the association between HGS and T2D. HGS has been considered a useful tool for identifying risks for T2D, CVD, and mortality and evaluating skeletal muscle strength and quality.

Opinion

HGS should be measured in all patients with T2D together with height, weight, and waist circumference. However, there is yet no standard method used in measuring for HGS. T2D patients with a low HGS can engage in resistance training more effectively with appropriate advice based on HGS. Future studies clarifying the genetic association between skeletal muscle and T2D are needed to provide individualized exercise therapy.

KEYWORDS:

• Hand grip strength
• Type 2 diabetes
• Skeletal muscle
• Exercise
• Cardiovascular disease

Article highlights

• Hand grip strength (HGS) is a useful and practical tool to evaluate skeletal muscle strength and quality in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

• Current evidence shows that a higher HGS is associated with a lower risk of prediabetes and T2D; a higher HGS is significantly associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality in patients with T2D.

• Previous studies suggest that a high HGS helps prevent diabetic complications and preserve cognitive function.

• HGS measurement is an effective strategy for identifying T2D risk in the general population and reducing CVD risk and mortality by reinforcing exercise therapy in patients with T2D.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.