Relations between quantitative ultrasound assessment of calcaneus and grip and key pinch power in Japanese mountain village residents.

PURPOSE

It seems to be important to recognize bone health condition using a simple method in Japanese super-aged society. The aim of our study was to investigate whether grip and key pinch strength were associated with bone quality.

METHODS

Medical examinations were conducted of 337 adult residents (123 men, 214 women; average age of 64.7 years) of a mountain village. Bilateral grip and key pinch strength were measured. The sound of speed (SOS) of calcaneus was assessed using an ultrasound bone densitometer. Study participants were divided into non-osteoporotic and osteoporotic groups according to the relevant WHO classification to evaluate statistical significance by age-adjusted analysis. Stepwise linear regression was used to identify the predictor of SOS using the following factors as explanatory variables: age, height, weight BMI, grip and key pinch power strength in bilateral side. A P value of < .05 was regarded as statistically significant.

RESULTS

In age-adjusted analysis, significant associations were found between osteoporosis and BMI (OR 0.87, 95%CI 0.80-0.95), gender (OR 3.21, 95%CI 1.83-5.62), grip strength (right side:, OR 0.95, 95%CI 0.92-0.98; left side: OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.92-0.98) and key pinch strength (right side: OR 0.76, 95%CI 0.65-0.88; left side: OR 0.79, 95%CI 0.68-0.91). In stepwise linear regression, age and left key pinch strength were predictors of calcaneal SOS (age β coefficient = -0.46, P = .00; left key pinch strength β coefficient = 0.17, P = .0049).

CONCLUSIONS

Key pinch strength assessment might be useful to predict calcaneal SOS in general population.