Relative handgrip strength in relation to depressive mood and suicidal ideation in Koreans using the 2015 KNHANES data

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the association of relative handgrip strength (RHGS) with depressive mood and suicidal ideation. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2167 men and 2643 women (aged 50.9 years ± 16.7 years) who participated in the 2015 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. RHGS was defined by the handgrip strength/body mass index (BMI) ratio. Depressive mood and suicidal ideation were assessed using self-reported questionnaires. Logistic regression analysis was conducted after adjusting for sex, concurrent illness, age, education, income, smoking status, alcohol use, physical activity, and depressive mood (in the analysis for suicidal ideation). RESULTS: Among participants, 4.0% men and 5.7% women reported serious suicidal ideation while 9.5% men and 16.0% women reported serious depressive mood. After adjusting for confounding factors, RHGS was associated with depressive mood (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] per RHGS [kg/BMI], 0.82 [0.69–0.99]) and suicidal ideation (0.73 [0.54–0.99]). In sex-specific relationship, RHGS was associated with depressive mood and suicidal ideation in women (0.71 [0.55–0.93] and 0.54 [0.34–0.85], respectively) but not in men. CONCLUSIONS: Poorer RHGS indicates higher risk of depressive mood as well as suicidal ideation regardless of depressive mood among women.