A new study has quantified a little‑explored relationship in women’s health: the link between nutritional status and handgrip strength in postmenopausal women. The research, led by Dr. Pascual García Alfaro, head of the Menopause Unit at Dexeus Mujer, has just been published in the journal Menopause.

Although it is well known that the loss of muscle and hand strength is associated with ageing, scientific evidence shows that hormonal decline leads to measurable musculoskeletal changes, including a progressive reduction in handgrip strength. This loss of muscle strength is a real phenomenon, though not widely recognised outside the medical field. However, it is an indicator of general health status that scientists and clinicians have been studying for years and which, over time, may affect the ability to perform daily tasks and overall physical robustness.

The aim of the study was to assess whether nutritional status may also influence this process. To investigate this, the researchers conducted a large cross‑sectional study based on a sample of 342 postmenopausal women attending their annual gynaecological check‑up at Dexeus Mujer. The study analysed how the degree of malnutrition -assessed using the CONUT index (Controlling Nutritional Status), a scale based on analytical parameters- affects handgrip strength, a key indicator of health and functional capacity.

Patient age, age at menopause onset, alcohol consumption, body mass index and smoking habits were recorded. Serum levels of albumin, creatinine, glucose, glycated haemoglobin, lymphocytes, total cholesterol and uric acid were evaluated. Handgrip strength, measured in kilograms of force, was assessed using a digital dynamometer; nutritional status was determined using the CONUT score, and physical activity was evaluated with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire.

Using the CONUT score, the researchers found that un 32,5%of participants showed some degree of malnutrition. Handgrip strength (HGS), measured with a digital dynamometer, showed a highly significant negative correlation with CONUT (r = –0.73).

Multivariable analyses confirmed this association: for each additional point in the CONUT score, handgrip strength decreased markedly. Women with mild malnutrition showed an average reduction of 4.4 kg in HGS, while those with moderate or severe malnutrition exhibited a decline of up to 6 kg compared with the well‑nourished group. These results remained consistent even after adjusting for age, body mass index, lifestyle habits and other clinical factors.

Based on these findings, the authors conclude that the CONUT score could become a useful and accessible tool for identifying postmenopausal women at higher risk of muscle strength loss, a key marker of frailty and functional health. Incorporating this assessment into clinical practice would allow earlier intervention, optimising nutritional management and helping preserve autonomy and quality of life in this population.