Handgrip Strength as an Indicator of Cognitive Function in Community-Dwelling Postmenopausal Women

Postmenopausal women in underserved areas may face elevated risks of health disparities due to compounded effects of socioeconomic disadvantage, limited education, and restricted healthcare access. As aging progresses, functional decline including both cognitive impairment (CI) and reduced muscular strength is common. Understanding the co-occurrence of these deficits is particularly relevant in resource-limited settings where early detection methods are essential. To evaluate whether handgrip strength (HGS) differs significantly across cognitive impairment severity levels in postmenopausal women from underserved urban communities. A cross-sectional study was conducted from 2019 to 2020 among postmenopausal women aged ≥50 years in urban-marginal areas. HGS was measured using a digital dynamometer and classified according to EWGSOP2 criteria. CI was assessed using the Pfeiffer test. Sociodemographic, physical activity, and reproductive health data were collected via structured interviews. The study adhered to STROBE guidelines. Differences in HGS across levels of CI severity were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, with significance set at p < 0.05. A total of 175 women were included (mean age: 72 ± 12 years). Dynapenia was present in 66.2% (n = 116). CI was categorized as mild in 20.6%, moderate in 15.4%, and severe in 12.6% of participants. One-way ANOVA revealed a significant difference in mean HGS across CI categories (F = 6.77, p < 0.001), indicating lower HGS with increasing CI severity. Lower handgrip strength is significantly related to increased cognitive impairment in underserved postmenopausal women. HGS may serve as a simple, equitable screening tool for early neurological risk detection in vulnerable populations.