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As the average age of the population increases, so does the incidence of diabetes—a chronic disease that remains the most expensive to manage in the United States. Traditionally associated with symptoms like excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and blurred vision, a new study suggests that weak handgrip strength may also be a potential risk factor for the disease.¹

Published in Menopause, the journal of The Menopause Society, the study sheds light on the connection between handgrip strength and diabetes prevalence in postmenopausal women.¹

Diabetes is a growing global health issue and ranks as the ninth-leading cause of mortality worldwide. Currently, approximately 1 in 11 adults live with the disease, and this ratio worsens with age. Nearly one in three individuals aged over 65 years have diabetes, making postmenopausal women especially vulnerable.¹

"Postmenopausal women with high muscle strength were less likely to have diabetes, highlighting the known benefits of maintaining muscle mass—a critical marker for prediction of health status," explained Stephanie Faubion, MD, MBA, medical director for The Menopause Society.

Researchers have long suspected a connection between handgrip strength—a recognized measure of muscle strength—and diabetes, but previous studies yielded mixed results. The current research narrows the focus to postmenopausal women, providing new insights into the relationship.

Declining estrogen levels during menopause are known to exacerbate health challenges, including insulin resistance and reduced lean muscle mass. Given that muscle strength is linked to overall health, the study suggests handgrip strength could become a valuable tool for predicting and possibly preventing diabetes in this population

Results

The study, based on the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2014-2019), categorized participants into quartiles based on HGS. Among women in the weakest quartile (Q1), 22.03% were diagnosed with diabetes or had elevated blood glucose or hemoglobin A_1c levels, compared to only 7.94% in the strongest quartile (Q4). After adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), and other factors, women in Q4 were 69% less likely to meet diagnostic criteria for diabetes than those in Q1.²

For women who had been postmenopausal for more than 10 years, the association was even stronger. Only 8.38% of women in the strongest grip strength category met diabetes criteria, compared to 30.74% in the weakest group.².

Future implications

Although the study provides valuable insights, its cross-sectional nature limits conclusions about causation, according to the authors. Researchers recommend further longitudinal studies to explore how strengthening exercises and hormonal therapies could mitigate diabetes risk in postmenopausal women.

The findings underscore the importance of maintaining muscle strength and prompt healthcare providers to consider HGS as part of routine diabetes risk assessments for postmenopausal women.

References:

1. The Menopause Society. Handgrip Strength Could Be Predictor of Diabetes Risk in Postmenopausal Women. The Menopause Society. December 4, 2024. Accessed December 12, 2024. https://menopause.org/press-releases/handgrip-strength-could-be-predictor-of-diabetes-risk-in-postmenopausal-women#:~:text=A%20new%20study%20based%20on,greater%20likelihood%20of%20having%20diabetes.

2. Chung YS, Baek JK, Tran TMC, Kim HR, In Jung H, Lee JK, Choi EA, Kim HY, Yun BH, Seo SK. Handgrip strength and diabetes in postmenopausal women: insights from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2014-2019. Menopause. 2024 Dec 3. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000002453.