title: Hand grip dynamometry as a predictor of postoperative complications reappraisal using age standardized grip strengths.
abstract: A mechanical hand grip dynamometer was used to derive age- and sex-related standard grip strengths from 247 healthy volunteers between 16 and 95 yr old. Preoperative grip strength was measured in 90 patients and related to postoperative complication rates. A grip strength of 85% standard for age and sex was found to be the most effective cut-off for prediction of postoperative complications in terms of sensitivity and specificity, predicting 74% of the complications (p less than 0.05). Specificity is improved over previously published standards related to sex alone especially when assessing the elderly patient (50% vs 21%). A grip strength below the recommended cut-off for age and sex suggests that the patient is in a high-risk group and demands further investigation of nutritional status. Studies of pre-operative nutritional support for the at risk group need to be undertaken.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine I, St. George's Hospital Medical School, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Webb
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Newman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Keogh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011379:Prognosis