LB017 - A THIRD OF ADULTS AS YOUNG AS EARLY FORTIES MAY BE AT NUTRITIONAL RISK: FINDINGS FROM GLOBAL HANDGRIP STRENGTH STUDY USING A DIGITAL TOOL

LB017

A THIRD OF ADULTS AS YOUNG AS EARLY FORTIES MAY BE AT NUTRITIONAL RISK: FINDINGS FROM GLOBAL HANDGRIP STRENGTH STUDY USING A DIGITAL TOOL

A. Sharn¹, K. Varadarajan², O. Gómez Santa María³, G. Rao⁴, M. Minguet Oses⁵, O. Hincapie^6,*, J. R. Dimaano Jr.⁷

¹Global Medical Affairs and Research, Abbott Nutrition, Columbus, ²SQUEGG Inc., Pembroke Pines, United States, ³Colegio Mexicano de Nutrición Clínica y Terapia Nutricional, Mexico City, Mexico, ⁴AIG Hospitals, Hyderabad, India, ⁵Global Medical Affairs and Research, Abbott Nutrition, Granada, Spain, ⁶Global Medical Affairs and Research, Abbott Nutrition, Santiago, Chile, ⁷Global Medical Affairs and Research, Abbott Nutrition, Taguig, Philippines

Rationale: Muscle loss is anticipated throughout the lifespan; however, excessive losses are associated with poor health outcomes and increased healthcare costs. Poor nutrition status is linked to low muscle strength, and nutritional interventions are integral to muscle restoration and maintenance. This global outpatient study’s main objective was to describe those at risk for low muscle strength based on low handgrip strength (HGS), stratified by age and sex. 

Methods: This global two-part retrospective study conducted HGS measures on both hands of adult outpatients during Dec 2022-Dec 2024. The SQUEGG device, a validated tool and smart handgrip trainer, along with its companion app, the Muscle Strength Assessment Tool (MSAT), were used to assess HGS. Healthcare Professionals’ feedback was collected via digital survey on SQUEGG device + MSAT app use. This work reports patient HGS data only. 

Results: Ten countries participated, representing Latin America and Asia Pacific. One in 3 community-living adults exhibited low dominant HGS (N=42,945); Colombia (40.1%, n=297/741), Mexico (37.6%, n=533/1416), and Dominican Republic (36.2%, n=85/235) had the highest prevalence of low HGS. Mean patient age was 47.4 (±15.3) years, ranging from 18-90 years. Among countries (n=8) with minimum 100 patients, ages above 41 had significantly more individuals with low HGS, compared to those below 41 years (37.9% vs. 24.7%, P<0.0001).

Conclusion: Findings from our sample indicate that low HGS affects 1 in 3 adults globally, beginning as early as age 41. Given that low HGS is an indicator for malnutrition, identifying low HGS highlights an opportunity for nutritional interventions such as oral nutrition supplements to improve functional status and address shortfalls.

Disclosure of Interest: A. Sharn Other: Employee of Abbott Laboratories, K. Varadarajan Other: Employee of SQUEGG Inc., O. Gómez Santa María: None declared, G. Rao: None declared, M. Minguet Oses Other: Employee of Abbott Laboratories, O. Hincapie Other: Employee of Abbott Laboratories, J. Dimaano Jr. Other: Employee of Abbott Laboratories