Hand grip strength in relation to low back pain and arthralgia in Kurdish men: a cross- sectional study using data from RaNCD cohort study

Abstract Background Musculoskeletal disorders can reduce quality of life and work capacity. We found better muscle strength can prevent musculoskeletal pain including arthralgia, back, and joint stiffness. This current study was assessed hand grip strength in relation to low back pain and arthralgia in Kurdish men. Methods This cross- sectional study was conducted using data from Ravansar non- communicable diseases (RaNCD) cohort study on 2164 men aged 35–65 years. Hand grip strength (HGS) was measured using a hand-held hydraulic hand grip dynamometer. Low back pain, arthralgia, back and joint stiffness were evaluated by the RaNCD cohort study physician using a standard questionnaire. Results In current study, 21.39 and 24.58% of studied participants had low back pain and arthralgia. Among the participants with low back pain 14.5% had back stiffness and among the participants with arthralgia 12.8% had joint stiffness. The mean of HGS in participants with arthralgia, back and joint stiffness was significantly less than in participants without these disorders (P < 0.001; P = 0.05; and P = 0.005, respectively). We observed that increasing HGS was associated with lower risk of arthralgia, back and joint stiffness. Conclusions Our results highlighted that higher HGS was associated with lower risk of arthralgia, back, and joint stiffness. However, there was not any association between HGS and low back pain. To enhance muscle strength, do exercise and adhere to proper nutrition are suggested to reduce musculoskeletal pain.