Evaluation of Hand Grip Strength Test: As a Reliable, reproducible, Costeffective Tool to Assess the Nutritional Status and Outcomes of Cirrhotic Patients Awaiting Liver Transplant
Authors: Bayomy Essam Mohammad , El Ghandour Ahmed Mohamed , El Rahman Ahmed Ghada Abd , El Said Mikawy Mahmoud Samir Abd El Azeem 
Published: July 2024

Background

Malnutrition is common comorbidity in patients with cirrhosis. Its prognostic value is indisputable as it greatly affects the evolution of liver disease. It has a major impact on both morbidity and mortality before and after liver-transplantation. Being now integrated in the definition of malnutrition and recognized as new entity in the international classification of disease, physicians have taken great interest in sarcopenia. Its negative impact on survival of cirrhotic patients is well demonstrated, particularly those on wait-list of liver-transplantation (LT).

Aim of the Work

The aim of this study is twofold; first, to assess the effect of malnutrition on mortality in patients awaiting Liver transplantation and, second, to evaluate hand grip strength HGS as a reliable, non-invasive, and inexpensive tool that can be used in routine clinical practice for early diagnosis and stratification of severity of malnutrition in patients awaiting Liver transplantation.

Patients and Methods

This is a prospective observational study, which was conducted at Ain- Shams specialized Hospital, liver transplantation department. The study was conducted after obtaining institutional ethics committee approval. Nutritional status assessment will be made by dominant hand grip strength (HGS) and all patients undergo a detailed nutrition assessment by a qualified Clinical Dietitian and nutritional intervention was recommended based on severity of malnutrition. Disease severity was classified according to the criteria proposed by Child-Pugh and the Model for End stage Liver Disease (CTP and MELD). The scores were noted during liver transplantation evaluation.

Results

We found in this study that 15 of the 29 included patients (51.7%) were 50-65 years old and 21 were males (72%) and 8 were females (27.6%). Six of the included patients were diagnosed as cryptogenic cirrhosis (21%) while 18 were diagnosed as post0viral cirrhosis (62%). Malnutrition was diagnosed in 25 out of the 29 included patients (86.2%) and only 4 patients were well- nourished (13.9) by SGA. In all included patients HGS was reduced and mean HGS was (21.9 ± 3.85 Kg), reflecting sarcopenia (reduced muscle strength). There was also reduction in MAMC (mean 18.7 ± 4.12 cm) with correlation between MAMC and HGS reflecting reduction in muscle mass and strength.

Conclusion

Malnutrition as assessed by SGA is very frequent in cirrhotic patients on wait-list for liver transplantation. This malnutrition in negatively affecting survival and should be managed by intensive nutritional intervention to improve post-transplant survival. HGS is reduced in most cirrhotic patients waiting for LT, this can worsen the prognosis independent of other confounders and should be assessed as predicted in all cirrhotic patients. HGS by dynamometer is a simple, cost effective and reasonably reliable to be used as screening tool to diagnose sarcopenia in patients with ESLD and can be followed by more confirmatory methods if needed as CT on Lumber 3 and determination of LMI (Lumber mass index)