Handgrip strength weakness and asymmetry together are associated with cardiovascular outcomes in older outpatients: A prospective cohort study

Aim The evaluations of handgrip strength (HGS) weakness and asymmetry have implications for the comprehensive geriatric assessment. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of HGS weakness and asymmetry on cardiovascular outcomes in older outpatients. Methods This was a prospective observational cohort study of 364 Geriatrics outpatients aged >= 60 years, in which all participants carried out HGS tests at baseline. Patients with HGS <28 kg for men and <18 kg for women were diagnosed as HGS weakness, and HGS ratio 1.10 were diagnosed as HGS asymmetry. Primary outcomes defined as the major adverse cardiovascular event and composite end-points were assessed during a 21-month median follow-up. Results Among 364 participants, 155 (42.6%) showed HGS weakness, and 160 (44.0%) showed HGS asymmetry. HGS weakness was associated with major adverse cardiovascular events (HR 2.76, 95% CI 1.22-6.27) and composite end-points (HR 2.84, 95% CI 1.40-5.77). However, no significant correlation between HGS asymmetry and cardiovascular outcomes was observed. Compared with the normal and symmetric HGS group, older adults with HGS weakness and asymmetry together had a higher risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (HR 5.23, 95% CI 1.56-17.54) and composite end-points (HR 4.00, 95% CI 1.56-10.28). Conclusions HGS weakness and asymmetry together might increase the risk of cardiovascular outcomes in older outpatients. HGS asymmetry offers complementary information to HGS weakness when making a comprehensive assessment of HGS. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 759-765.

Automated summary

This study examined the association between handgrip strength weakness and asymmetry and cardiovascular outcomes in older outpatients. The results showed that handgrip strength weakness was significantly associated with major adverse cardiovascular events and composite end-points. However, there was no significant correlation between handgrip strength asymmetry and cardiovascular outcomes. When handgrip strength weakness and asymmetry coexisted, older adults had a higher risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and composite end-points.