Unveiling the Link Between Low Handgrip Strength and Diabetic Foot Disease in Non-Geriatric Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Objective: Using non-geriatric type 2 diabetic patients with and without diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), this study investigated the frequency of poor handgrip strength and examined the association between handgrip strength and diabetic foot disorder.

Methods: The study comprised a total of 525 patients with type 2 diabetes who visited the endocrinology outpatient clinic between August 2020 and June 2022; 242 of them had DFUs. Patients were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data on medications used, as well as demographic and clinical information, were taken from hospital archives. The severity of ulcers was assessed using the Wagner score. Using a portable digital dynamometer, a test of handgrip strength was conducted. Low handgrip strength was defined as less than 16 kg for females and 27 kg for males.

Results: Patients with DFUs exhibited lower handgrip strength, older age, a longer duration of diabetes diagnosis, a lower body mass index, and higher fasting plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c levels. Comorbidities such as peripheral artery disease and ischemic heart disease were more frequent in patients with DFUs and low handgrip strength. Diabetic foot ulcer frequency was 3.149 times higher among those with poor hand grip strength than those with good strength (odds ratio=3.149; 95% CI, 2.118-4.672; P < .001).

Conclusion: Non-geriatric type 2 diabetes patients with DFUs had a higher frequency of low handgrip strength. Low handgrip strength was independently associated with the presence of DFUs. This study emphasizes the importance of addressing low handgrip strength as a potential risk factor in managing diabetic foot disease in non-geriatric type 2 diabetic patients.

Cite this article as: İmre E, İmre E. Unveiling the link between low handgrip strength and diabetic foot disease in non-geriatric type 2 diabetes patients. Endocrinol Res Pract. 2024;28(1):20-26.