A Study of Handgrip Strength in Patients with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus and Its Association with Some Anthropometric Variables

Introduction: The long-term diabetic status may affect the handgrip strength in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus. Objectives: The objectives of the present study were to arrest some anthropometric variables those which affect the handgrip strength of the patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, purposively selected 576 patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (251 male and 325 female) of age group 35-60 years were taken from different hospitals of Amritsar. A total of 440 controls (152 males and 288 females) were also taken matching everything, except the disease condition, for comparisons. Nine anthropometric variables, i.e. dominant and non-dominant handgrip strength, height, weight, upper arm, waist and hip circumference, biceps skinfold and triceps skinfold were taken on each subject following standard techniques. Results: The results showed significantly (p<0.001) lower mean values of dominant and non-dominant handgrip strength in diabetic patients, and significantly (p<0.01-0.001) higher mean values in three circumferential and two skinfold measurements than their control counterparts. Again, significant positive correlations (p<0.01-0.001) of dominant and non-dominant handgrip strength were observed with all the anthropometric variables, and significant negative correlations (p<0.001) with biceps and triceps skinfold in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: It may be concluded significantly higher circumferential and skinfold measurements were predictive for the lower handgrip strength values in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus.