Does admission grip strength predict length of stay in hospitalised older patients?

Abstract

Epidemiological studies have shown that grip strength measured in middle-aged and older people is a powerful predictor of functional decline, disability and mortality [1–3]. Findings from cross-sectional data also suggest that grip strength may be a useful single marker of frailty [4]. However, grip strength is rarely measured in a clinical setting either for objective assessment of muscle function in relation to physical function or to predict outcome. The few clinical studies involving measurement of grip strength have been confined to a surgical setting and showed that lower grip strength was associated with increased post-operative complications [5–10]. Two studies also showed a relationship between pre-operative grip strength and post-operative length of stay