Hand Strength Differences Across Cardiometabolic Conditions: A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study

Abstract

Introduction: Handgrip and pinch strength are critical indicators of upper limb function and health, and may be affected by cardiometabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension (HPT), and hyperlipidemia (HPL). This study aimed to compare handgrip and pinch strength among healthy adults, individuals with T2DM+HPT, and those with T2DM+HPT+HPL in a Malaysian population. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 204 adults (n=68 per group), matched by age, gender, and health condition. Handgrip and pinch strength were assessed using the Jamar Hydraulic Dynamometer and Pinch Gauge following the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT) protocol. Statistical analyses included One-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation. Results: Hand strength differed significantly across groups (p<0.001). Healthy adults demonstrated higher grip and pinch strength than participants with T2DM+HPT and T2DM+HPT+HPL. Strength measures showed  strong bilateral correlations (0.85-0.92, p<0.001). Weak positive associations were observed between random blood sugar and grip/pinch strength (r=0.239-0.271), while diastolic blood pressure showed weak associations with grip strength only (r=0.239-0.265). HbA1c was not significantly associated with hand strength. Conclusion: Cardiometabolic conditions are associated  with reduced hand strength, particularly when T2DM coexists with HPT and HPL. Grip and pinch strength may serve as accessible functional markers for clinical assessment and early intervention in at-risk populations.