Relationships Among Metacarpal Bone Mass and Handgrip Strength In 150 Healthy Adult Males

Bone density and muscle strength are the primary determinants of bone strength. Measurements of grip strength is less costly, less invasive and in combination with metacarpal bone mineral density (BMD) measurements could provide a feasible way of predicting bone mineral density. 150 hospital staff members and employees participated voluntarily in the study. Osteoporotic risk evaluation was done; they were questioned about profession and leisure time activities, tobacco and alcohol consumption; body weight-height-body mass indeks (BMI) were calculated. Right and left hand grip strength were measured using hydraulic hand dynamometer; BMD was measured by radiographic absorbsiometry in both hands. The mean age was 46 (30-68 years), 80% of the subjects were categorized as normal, 18% osteopenic and 1% osteoporotic. The mean value of BMI was 26.86 kg/m2 and handgrip strength was 37 kg. 78% were white collared, 12% were computer users, 40.4% consumed tobacco and their BMD were lower (p<0.0001). Their handgrip strength was also lower in both hands (p<0.01 for right hand, p<0.05 for left hand). There was no statistically significant difference between the dominant hand and non-dominant hand, but bone density was higher at the dominant side (p<0.0001). There were statistically significant relationship between the handgrip strength and bone density on both sides (p<0.0001). Age and BMI didn’t correlate with handgrip strength and bone density. Muscle strength is not adequate substitute for bone densitometry, but it can help to identify the risk groups which can be directed to bone density measurement

“Evaluation of Hand Absorpsiometry and Lumbar-Femoral Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry in Postmenopausal Women” - Original Investigation

The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation and diagnostic value of digital radiographic absorptiometry and Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) in the diagnosis and assessment of osteoporosis.Spine and non-dominant femoral DXA measurements ( Lunar Cooperation, USA) and non-dominant hand absorptiometric measurements ( Metriscan-Alara, California-USA) have been done in 172 post-menopausal women who were outpatients in the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Clinic at İstanbul Göztepe Hospital of Education and Research. Demographic characteristics were identified. Statistical analyses have been performed by the calculation of Pearson correlation coefficient. The post-menopausal women mean age was 59±8.43Std (41-81 years). Both spine and femur DXA T scores were moderately correlated with radiographic absorptiometric scores (r: 0.63 and 0.62 respectively, p<0.001). Femoral and L1-L4 T scores were moderately correlated (r. 0.53,p<0.001). Different measurements methods of bone mineral density at different skeletal sites, in parallel to the literature, are moderately correlated in post-menopausal women. We can conclude that radiographic absorptiometry can be used as a screening technique or when DXA measurement is not available. (Osteoporoz Dünyasından 2006; 12 (1): 9-11