P2523Hand grip strength as a predictor of exercise capacity in coronary heart disease

Abstract

A recent study has shown that quadriceps strength can be used to predict the level of exercise capacity in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). We investigated whether the relationship between muscular strength and exercise capacity is also observed with hand grip strength (HGS). We studied 443 participants (age, 61.8±11.2 y; 77.7% male) who underwent coronary intervention and participated in cardiac rehabilitation between 2015 and 2018. Participants were assessed for grip strength, measured using a Jamar dynamometer. Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between various clinical measures (HGS, age, sex, etc) with the distance walked on a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). HGS was significantly related to distance walked on the 6MWT (r=0.435, p<0.001). It was the only predictor of all exercise capacity categories, and one of the strongest predictors of each exercise capacity category. A HGS of 25.5% of body weight predicted an achievement of a 200 m walk on the 6MWT (positive predictive value = 0.95). However, HGS less than 35.5% of body weight predicted that 500m could not be done in 6 minutes (negative predictive value = 0.97). This trend was also observed in the subgroups in which VO2max was measured. This study demonstrates that HGS is associated with exercise capacity in CHD and can be used to predict the level of exercise capacity. These findings may contribute to setting the recommended level of daily activity as well as the level of cardiac rehabilitation in CHD. Logistic regression models for different levels of exercise capacity Level of exercise capacity B±S.E p-value Odd ratio 95% CI Distance of 6MWT 200 m Grip strength 0.054±0.014 <0.001 1.056 1.027–1.086 300 m Grip strength 0.042±0.009 <0.001 1.042 1.024–1.062 400 m Grip strength 0.047±0.011 <0.001 1.048 1.026–1.070 500 m Grip strength 0.051±0.016 0.001 1.053 1.021–1.086 VO2max level 4 METs Grip strength 0.054±0.010 <0.001 1.056 1.036–1.076 6 METs Grip strength 0.059±0.011 <0.001 1.061 1.039–1.083 8 METs Grip strength 0.081±0.015 <0.001 1.085 1.053–1.117 10 METs Grip strength 0.113±0.049 0.019 1.12 1.019–3.232 Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD). 6MWT, 6-minute walk test; STEMI, ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction; SE, standard error; CI, confidence interval; VO2max, Maximal Oxygen uptake; METs, Metabolic equivalents.