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. 2022 Apr;34(4):811-817.
doi: 10.1007/s40520-022-02121-z. Epub 2022 Apr 7.

Handgrip strength predicts length of hospital stay in an abdominal surgical setting: the role of frailty beyond age

Luigi Marano  1 , Ludovico Carbone  1 , Gianmario Edoardo Poto  1 , Margherita Gambelli  1 , Leonelle Lore Nguefack Noudem  1 , Giulia Grassi  1 , Fabiana Manasci  1 , Giulia Curreri  1 , Alessandra Giuliani  1 , Riccardo Piagnerelli  1 , Vinno Savelli  1 , Daniele Marrelli  1 , Franco Roviello  1 , Virginia Boccardi  2
Affiliations

Handgrip strength predicts length of hospital stay in an abdominal surgical setting: the role of frailty beyond age

Luigi Marano et al. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2022 Apr.

Abstract

Background: Chronological age per se cannot be considered a prognostic risk factor for outcomes after elective surgery, whereas frailty could be. A simple and easy-to-get marker for frailty, such as handgrip strength (HGS), may support the surgeon in decision for an adequate healthcare plan.

Aims: The aims of this study were to: (1) determine the prevalence of frailty in an abdominal surgery setting independent of age; (2) evaluate the predictive validity of HGS for the length of hospital stay (LOS).

Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted in subjects who underwent abdominal surgical procedures. Only subjects with complete cognitive, functional, nutritional assessments and available measurement of HGS at admission were included. A final cohort of 108 patients were enrolled in the study.

Results: Subjects had a mean age of 67.8 ± 15.8 years (age range 19-93 years old) and were mostly men. According to Fried's criteria, 17 (15.7%, 4F/13 M) were fit, 58 (23.7%; 24F/34 M) were pre-frail and 33 (30.6%; 20F/13 M) were frail. As expected, HGS significantly differed between groups having frail lower values as compared with pre-frail and fit persons (fit: 32.99 ± 10.34 kg; pre-frail: 27.49 ± 10.35 kg; frail: 15.96 ± 9.52 kg, p < 0.0001). A final regression analysis showed that HGS was significantly and inversely associated with LOS (p = 0.020) independent of multiple covariates, including age.

Discussion: Most of the population undergoing abdominal surgery is pre-frail or frail. The measurement of handgrip strength is simple and inexpensive, and provides prognostic information for surgical outcomes. Muscle strength, as measured by handgrip dynamometry, is a strong predictor of LOS in a surgical setting.

Keywords: Frailty; General surgery; Handgrip strength; Hospital stay; Prognosis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Handgrip strength (kg) in fit, pre-frail and frail subjects (n = 108; mean age 67.8 years old). Data are presented as means ± SD; Handgrip strength is expressed in kg. Fit: 32.99 ± 10.34; pre-frail: 27.49 ± 10.35; frail: 15.96 ± 9.52, p < 0.0001 by ANOVA
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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