title: The use of hand grip strength as a predictor of nutrition status in hospital patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hand grip strength (HGS) has been found to respond to nutrition deprivation and repletion but few studies have investigated its use as an independent nutrition assessment tool. We conducted an observational study to determine if HGS can predict nutrition status independently of other factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Patient Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) was used to determine nutrition status. PG-SGA and HGS measures were collected from 217 well nourished and malnourished hospital patients for cross-sectional analysis. Of the 217, 18 patients had these assessments repeated two weeks (±3 days) later to assess change. Correlation, and multiple linear and binary regression analyses were conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HGS and PG-SGA score were significantly correlated (r = 0.292, P < 0.01). HGS was a significant independent predictor of PG-SGA score and category (P < 0.01), accounting for 4% and 9% of variability respectively. Change-in-HGS was an independent predictor of change-in-PG-SGA score (P = 0.04) and category (P = 0.06) over two weeks, accounting for 47% and 42% of variability respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that HGS can independently predict nutrition status and change in nutrition status defined by PG-SGA score and category, although future longer term research is required to confirm the use of HGS as an early detection tool for malnutrition risk.
authors.affiliation: School of Exercise and Health Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: aflood@our.ecu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Flood
authors.affiliation: School of Exercise and Health Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: achung@our.ecu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Alexis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.affiliation: Dietetics Department, Joondalup Health Campus, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: ParkerH@ramsayhealth.com.au.
authors.forename: Hayley
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.affiliation: Dietetics Department, Joondalup Health Campus, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: kearnsv@ramsayhealth.com.au.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kearns
authors.affiliation: School of Exercise and Health Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: t.osullivan@ecu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Therese A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: (HGS); (PAL); (PG-SGA); Hand grip strength; Hospital; Malnutrition; Nutrition status; PG-SGA; hand grip strength; patient generated subjective global assessment; physical activity level