Association Between Functional Capacity and Handgrip Strength in People With Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Objective: to investigate the association between handgrip strength and functional capacity in people with diabetes. Method: observational cross-sectional study with 168 participants seen at an outpatient clinic in Curitiba, Brazil, in 2019. Clinical, sociodemographic, and socioeconomic data were collected, and the following protocols were applied: World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule; Timed Up and Go; and dynamometry. For the analysis, multiple linear regression models were adjusted for the dependent variables related to functional capacity. Results: we observed mild disability, borderline functional mobility, and higher correlation between functional mobility scale and handgrip strength (r=-0.384; p < 0.01). Handgrip strength with other covariates explained less than 30% of the functional variability. Conclusion: these results contribute to the problem-solving of clinical practice in that they show that muscle strength and functional capacity should be considered in the evaluation of the patient in combination, making it clearer and more comprehensive.