Abstract 17389: The Role of Arterial Stiffness in Mediating the Association Between Grip Strength and Cardiovascular Events: The Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study
Introduction: Grip strength has been associated with cardiovascular events. However, there have been no exact mechanisms explaining the association between grip strength and cardiovascular events. Hypothesis: The aim of this study was to assess whether arterial stiffness or endothelial function could mediate the association between grip strength and cardiovascular events. Methods: We studied 1508 participants (Age; 60 ± 7, Men; 47.5 %) from the Ansan cohort of the Korean Genome Epidemiology Study. Participants were assessed for grip strength, measured using a Jamar dynamometer. The central blood pressure, the augmentation index, and the pulse wave velocity were evaluated by using an applanation tonometer. Intima medial thickness was measured by B-mode ultrasonogram with a 7.5 MHz linear array transducer. Results: With increasing the grip strength, augmentation index decreased (r= -0.445, p<0.001). Pulse wave velocity (r= -0.044, p=0.109) and carotid intima medial thickness (r= -0.004, p=0.881) had no significant correlation with grip strength. Conclusions: Grip strength was inversely correlated with augmentation index. This result suggests that systemic arterial stiffness could mediate the association between grip strength and cardiovascular events.