Feasibility of Systematic Handgrip Strength (HGS) Testing and Short-term Changes in Muscle Strength in Digestive Cancer Patients Treated by Chemotherapy

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Sarcopenia is defined as a loss in skeletal muscle mass and function (strength and/or performance). There is a high prevalence in elderly and in patients with cancer. Several mechanisms are known to explain sarcopenia (inflammation, neurodegenerative process, hormonal disorders, lack of exercise, malnutrition). The consequences were analysed in several studies where sarcopenia appeared to be an independent factor of mortality, and associated with cancer-related fatigue, nosocomial infections, cardio-vascular diseases, and chemotherapy toxicities. Diagnosis is based on the measure of the muscle mass performing an abdominal computed-tomography (CT) scan, and on the measure of the muscle strength using the handgrip test with a Jamar® hydraulic hand dynamometer. CT scan is more invasive and less easy to reach than handgrip test. This test is used to be performing in elderly but not in cancer patients having chemotherapy. Present prospective study explored the feasibility of systematic handgrip strength testing and short-term changes in muscle strength in digestive cancer patients treated by chemotherapy.

Official Title
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Feasibility of Systematic Handgrip Strength (HGS) Testing and Short-term Changes in Muscle Strength in Digestive Cancer Patients Treated by Chemotherapy

Conditions
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Handgrip Strength Test, Sarcopenia, Digestive Cancer, Muscle Strength, Chemotherapy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: handgrip strength test
* Drug: chemotherapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: patients with digestive cancer having a chemotherapy and/or biotherapy in the department of Reims > 18 years old after patient agreement linked to social security system Exclusion Criteria: legal guardianship < 18 years old neuro-muscular issue

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Other
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: patient undergoing to chemotherapy during 6 months<br> | Procedure: handgrip strength test<br> <br> Drug: chemotherapy<br> <br> |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| number of patients having at least one handgrip strength test among all hospitalized cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy |  | 6 months | 
| Evaluation of handgrip test by patients |  | after 3 months | 
| Evaluation of handgrip test by staff (nurses, interns, students) |  | 6 months | 
| number of handgrip strength test measures per patient, number of handgrip test measures compared to the number of day hospitalisations, number of patients who had all of the measures, between 50 and 100% of measures, less than 50% of measures |  | 6 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| to study the association between hand grip strength test and tolerance to chemotherapy |  | 6 months | 
| to follow the short term evolution of hand grip strength test during 6 months in patients undergoing chemotherapy |  | 6 months | 
| to study the association between the evolution of hand grip strength test and the evolution of nutritional indices (anthropometric and biologic) |  | 6 months |