Association of the Controlling Nutritional Status score with handgrip strength in postmenopausal women

The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score and the degree of undernutrition with handgrip strength (HGS) in postmenopausal women.

This is a cross-sectional study involving 342 postmenopausal women. Age, age at menopause, alcohol consumption, body mass index, and smoking status were recorded. Serum albumin, creatinine, glucose, glycated hemoglobin, lymphocyte, total cholesterol, and uric acid were evaluated. HGS was measured using a digital dynamometer, the degree of undernutrition was assessed by the CONUT score, and physical activity was assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Student t test, χ 2 test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multivariable logistic regression models were performed for data analysis.

The global prevalence of malnutrition was 32.5%. HGS was negatively correlated with the CONUT score ( r =- 0.73, P <0.001). The multivariable linear regression model showed that the CONUT score was significantly associated with HGS (β = -1.5; 95% CI, -1.7 to -1.3). When the CONUT scores were categorized, the model showed that HGS was lower in both women with mild malnutrition (β = -4.4; 95% CI, -5.0 to -3.7) and with moderate-severe malnutrition (β= -6.0; 95% CI, -7.4 to -4.6) compared with those with normal nutrition.

The CONUT undernutrition degree was associated with having worse HGS in postmenopausal women. This test score can be a useful tool for assessing the role of nutritional status on muscle strength loss.