Korean J Sports Med.  2022 Mar;40(1):1-11. 10.5763/kjsm.2022.40.1.1.

The Association between Serum Uric Acid and Relative Grip Strength: The 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016‒2018)

• Seo YB
• Yoon YS

• KMID: 2526683
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5763/kjsm.2022.40.1.1

Abstract

Purpose
Uric acid (UA) has both oxidative and antioxidant properties. The relationship between serum UA level and muscle strength is unclear. We aimed to investigate the relationship between serum UA level and relative hand grip strength (HGS) among male and female adults.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was performed evaluating participants in the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A total of 16,495 (7,393 males and 9,102 females) were evaluated. Relative HGS was calculated as maximal absolute handgrip strength from both hands divided by body mass index. Linear regression analyses were performed to estimate the coefficients and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for relative HGS by quartiles of UA levels, adjusted for potential confounders.
Results
With adjustments, UA levels were negatively associated with relative HGS in both males (p-trend, ＜ 0.001) and females (p for trend, ＜ 0.001). In males, coefficients β (95% CI) for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quartile were respectively −0.03 (−0.05 to 0.00), −0.05 (−0.08 to −0.03), −0.07 (−0.09 to −0.04). In females, coefficients β (95% CI) for the 3rd and 4th quartile were −0.05 (−0.03 to 0.00) and −0.05 (−0.06 to −0.03), respectively. When the participants were subdivided according to age, disease status, and renal function, the negative correlation between UA and HGS remained in most of the subgroups.
Conclusion
Serum UA is negatively associated with HGS in Korean males and females. Serum UA seems to be a deleterious factor for muscle strength, independent of the sex.

Keyword

Uric acid; Grip strength; Muscle strength; Oxidative stress

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