Association between hand grip/body weight ratio and disability pension due to musculoskeletal disorders: A population-based cohort study of 1 million Swedish men

Abstract

To investigate the predictive value of hand grip/body weight ratio and hand grip strength in early adulthood for obtaining a disability pension (DP) due to musculoskeletal disorders in later life. A nationwide population-based sample of men born 1951-76 (n=1,387,166) in Sweden and anthropometric and strength indicators from their conscription examination. Register data on the date and diagnoses of granted DP between the years 1971-2006. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The lowest quintile of hand grip/body weight ratio predicted a greatly increased risk (HR 2.51, 95% CI 2.40-2.63) for DP due to musculoskeletal disorders compared to the mid-quintile. The highest quintile of hand grip/body weight ratio predicted a decreased risk (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.75-0.84). Stratification of the hand grip/body weight ratio with body mass index confirmed the results. However, the highest quintiles of hand grip strength adjusted for height and weight predicted a somewhat increased risk for DP due to musculoskeletal disorders (HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.18-1.32). This study indicates that the hand grip/body weight ratio in young adulthood is strongly and inversely associated with men's risk of obtaining a disability pension due to musculoskeletal disorders in later life. However, the risk seems to be mediated through the body weight. The properties of hand grip/body weight ratio should be further evaluated before it can be recommended for use in clinical and epidemiological studies.