Distal radius bone mineral density and grip strength in peri/postmenopausal Thai women

Abstract

To determine the relationship between distal radius bone mineral density (BMD) and grip strength (GS) in peri/post menopausal Thai women. 177 healthy volunteers, ≥40 years old, were included. Distal radius BMD of the non-dominant side was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. GS of both dominant and non-dominant sides was measured using a Jamar dynamometer. The association between BMD and GS was determined by correlation analysis. Other factors possibly affecting the BMD or GS including age, years since menopause (YSM), body weight (BW), height (Ht) and body mass index (BMI) were analyzed by the multiple regression method. It was found that BMD had statistically significant but weak positive correlation,to GS (r = 0.262, p < 0.001 for the dominant side, r = 0.193, p < 0.001 for non-dominant side). Age and YSM had a negative correlation, whereas, BW and Ht had a positive correlation to either BMD or GS. After multiple regression analysis, the significant predictors of BMD were age and BW, of dominant GS were age and Ht, and of non-dominant GS was YSM. In conclusion, decrements in distal radius BMD and in GS were found in peri/postmenopausal women. Aging seems to be the most important factor for these features. Although the GS has statistically significant correlation to the corresponding BMD, the clinical significance might not be obvious. Furthermore, the stronger correlation of BMD to the contralateral dominant GS than to the ipsilateral non-dominant GS implies that the influence of muscular strength on BMD, if present, is not due to a direct effect in this age group.