Premium
Hand Grip Strength—A Simple Prognostic Indicator In Surgical Patients
Author(s) -
Hunt Deborah R.,
Rowlands Brian J.,
Johnston Dennis
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.935
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 1941-2444
pISSN - 0148-6071
DOI - 10.1177/0148607185009006701
Subject(s) - grip strength , medicine , hand strength , forearm , circumference , incidence (geometry) , muscle strength , body weight , surgery , anthropometry , lean body mass , geometry , mathematics , physics , optics
This study evaluates hand grip strength as an indicator of nutritional status and a predictor of postoperative complications. Hand grip strength and other parameters of nutritional status, namely, midarm muscle circumference, forearm muscle circumference, triceps skinfold, percentage ideal body weight, serum albumin, and percent usual weight were determined preoperatively in 205 patients. Complications occurred in 28 patients (14%). Patients with at least one abnormal nutritional parameter had a higher incidence of postoperative complications. Their length of total and postoperative hospitalization was greater by 6.2 and 4.6 days, respectively ( p < 0.01). Grip strength was the most sensitive single parameter, but forearm muscle circumference and percentage ideal body weight were the most specific indices. Hand grip strength is a simple measure of nutritional status and an accurate prognostic indicator that requires further clinical evaluation. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 9 :701–704, 1985)