The impact of menopausal transition on change of serum uric acid level remains unknown. The present study evaluated the relationship of menopausal stages with prevalent hyperuricemia in middle-aged women. This cross-sectional study included 58,870 middle-aged Korean women, aged ≥40, who participated in a health examination from 2014 to 2016. Menopausal stages were obtained with a standardized, self-administered questionnaire and were categorized according to the criteria of the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop (STRAW+10). Hyperuricemia was defined as a serum uric acid level of ≥6 mg/dL. The prevalence of hyperuricemia increased as menopausal stage increased. The multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for prevalent hyperuricemia comparing early transition, late transition, and post-menopause to pre-menopause were 1.19 (0.80–1.77), 2.13 (1.35–3.36), and 1.65 (1.33–2.04), respectively. This association was stronger among non-obese compared to obese participants and in those with low high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels (<1.0 mg/L) compared to those with elevated hsCRP levels of ≥1.0 mg/L (p for interaction = 0.01). In this large sample of middle-aged women, the prevalence of hyperuricemia significantly increased from the menopausal stage of late transition, independent of potential confounders. Appropriate preventive strategies for reducing hyperuricemia and its related consequences should be initiated prior to menopause.

Five grip spans (45 to 65 mm) were tested to evaluate the effects of handle grip span and user's hand size on maximum grip strength, individual finger force and subjective ratings of comfort using a computerised digital dynamometer with independent finger force sensors. Forty-six males participated and were assigned into three hand size groups (small, medium, large) according to their hands' length. In general, results showed the 55- and 50-mm grip spans were rated as the most comfortable sizes and showed the largest grip strength (433.6 N and 430.8 N, respectively), whereas the 65-mm grip span handle was rated as the least comfortable size and the least grip strength. With regard to the interaction effect of grip span and hand size, small and medium-hand participants rated the best preference for the 50- to 55-mm grip spans and the least for the 65-mm grip span, whereas large-hand participants rated the 55- to 60-mm grip spans as the most preferred and the 45-mm grip span as the least preferred. Normalised grip span (NGS) ratios (29% and 27%) are the ratios of user's hand length to handle grip span. The NGS ratios were obtained and applied for suggesting handle grip spans in order to maximise subjective comfort as well as gripping force according to the users' hand sizes. In the analysis of individual finger force, the middle finger force showed the highest contribution (37.5%) to the total finger force, followed by the ring (28.7%), index (20.2%) and little (13.6%) finger. In addition, each finger was observed to have a different optimal grip span for exerting the maximum force, resulting in a bow-contoured shaped handle (the grip span of the handle at the centre is larger than the handle at the end) for two-handle hand tools. Thus, the grip spans for two-handle hand tools may be designed according to the users' hand/finger anthropometrics to maximise subjective ratings and performance based on this study. Results obtained in this study will provide guidelines for hand tool designers and manufacturers for designing grip spans of two-handle tools, which can maximise handle comfort and performance.