UNDERSTANDING THE GENDER DIFFERENCES IN HAND GRIP STRENGTH OF PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS (T2DM) COMPARED TO SUBJECTS WITHOUT T2DM IN CLINIC SETTINGS

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disease with myriad complications. Some of these consequences are less studied than the rest. This study aimed to investigate the relation, if any, between T2DM and Hand Grip Strength, via a case-control method utilising convenience sampling. The hand grip strengths of 40 subjects, 20 afflicted with the condition, and 20 control, were tested using the JAMAR Dynamometer. Their basic parameters (age, height, weight, BMI, etc) were recorded, and the duration of diabetes as well as HbA1c and Fasting Glucose levels were also considered for the case subjects. The study also examined the gender differences in hand grip strength across groups. Results are consistent with the findings of various other studies which display that Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus markers have a negative correlation with hand grip strength, and hence, muscle strength in general. Both case and control groups exhibited significant gender discrepancies in hand grip strength, and the impact of gender was found to be stronger in the control group than in the T2DM afflicted group. Future research should be conducted in order to determine whether low hand grip strength can be considered a symptom of T2DM, and hence, assist in its diagnosis. Low grip strength should also be investigated as a marker for control in diabetes, or an indicator that a change in medical regimen, diet, exercise, etc. is required.