Reduction of relative handgrip strength and cardiometabolic risk in individuals with HIV/AIDS

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Low handgrip strength (HS) is associated with cardiometabolic alterations that have affected people with HIV/AIDS. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study performed in adults receiving antiretroviral treatment. HS was evaluated using a dynamometer and divided by body weight to obtain the relative strength. The association between relative HS and overweight, increased waist circumference (WC), high body fat percentage, glycemia, and lipid ratios were assessed using logistic regression. RESULTS: Low relative HS was identified in 35% of participants and associated with increased WC (odds ratio = 9.7; 95% confidence interval = 2.8-33.0). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of low HS was high and associated with increased WC.