Data_Sheet_1_Arterial stiffness is associated with handgrip strength in relatively healthy Chinese older adults.docx

BackgroundIncreased arterial stiffness and low handgrip strength (HGS) are associated with poor health outcomes and are a severe health risk for older adults. However, there is limited evidence and mixed results on whether there is an association between them. Therefore, this study focused on the association between arterial stiffness and HGS in relatively healthy older adults in Beijing, China.
MethodsIn 2016, 2,217 adult volunteers were recruited in Beijing. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and the ankle-brachial index were measured using an automatic vascular profiling system. Carotid artery intima-media thickness and common carotid artery-internal diameter (CCAID) were evaluated using Doppler ultrasound, and HGS was measured with a dynamometer. Low HGS was determined using the Asian Sarcopenia Working Group 2019 criteria. Multivariate linear and logistic regressions evaluated the relationship between arterial stiffness and HGS.
ResultsUltimately, 776 relatively healthy older adults (mean age 69.05 ± 6.46 years) were included. Based on the AWGS2019 criteria, 137 participants were defined as having low HGS. Compared to the normal HGS group, the low HGS group was older and had higher baPWV (p < 0.001) but lower CCAID, body mass index (BMI) and hemoglobin (Hb) (p < 0.05). The multiple linear regression analysis revealed that baPWV was negatively correlated with HGS (β = −0.173, t = −2.587, p = 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that baPWV and CCAID were associated with an increased risk of low HGS (odds ratio (OR) per SD increase: 1.318, p = 0.007; OR per SD increase: 0.541, p < 0.001).
ConclusionArterial stiffness and HGS were significantly negatively correlated in relatively healthy Chinese older adults. Low HGS is associated with increased arterial stiffness. Encouraging exercise training to improve HGS, thereby reducing arterial stiffness and the risk of cardiovascular events, may be a simple and effective intervention.

研究背景：动脉僵硬度升高与低握力（handgrip strength, HGS）均与不良健康结局相关，且对老年人群构成严重健康风险。然而，目前关于二者间是否存在关联的研究证据较为有限，且结果存在分歧。因此，本研究聚焦于中国北京市相对健康的老年人群，探讨动脉僵硬度与HGS之间的关联。
研究方法：2016年，本研究于北京市招募2217名成年志愿者。采用全自动血管成像系统测量臂踝脉搏波速度（brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, baPWV）与踝肱指数；通过多普勒超声评估颈动脉内膜中层厚度及颈总动脉-内径（common carotid artery-internal diameter, CCAID）；使用握力计测量HGS。低HGS的判定依据2019年亚洲肌少症工作组（Asian Sarcopenia Working Group 2019, AWGS2019）标准。采用多变量线性回归与logistic回归分析动脉僵硬度与HGS之间的关联。
研究结果：最终纳入776名相对健康的老年受试者，平均年龄为69.05±6.46岁。依据AWGS2019标准，137名受试者被判定为低HGS人群。与正常握力组相比，低HGS组受试者年龄更大，baPWV水平更高（p<0.001），但CCAID、体质量指数（body mass index, BMI）及血红蛋白（hemoglobin, Hb）水平更低（p<0.05）。多变量线性回归分析显示，baPWV与HGS呈显著负相关（β=-0.173，t=-2.587，p=0.01）。多变量logistic回归分析表明，baPWV升高与CCAID降低均与低HGS风险增加相关（每标准差升高的比值比（odds ratio, OR）分别为1.318，p=0.007；0.541，p<0.001）。
研究结论：在中国相对健康的老年人群中，动脉僵硬度与HGS呈显著负相关，低HGS与动脉僵硬度升高密切相关。鼓励通过运动训练改善握力，进而降低动脉僵硬度及心血管事件风险，或为一种简便有效的干预手段。