Resumen

MENDES, Joana; AZEVEDO, Ana  y  AMARAL, Teresa F.. Handgrip strength: quantification, determinants and clinical Utility. Arq Med [online]. 2013, vol.27, n.3, pp.115-120. ISSN 2183-2447.

There are several methods for assessment of nutritional status whose utility varies with age and health status. Changes of nutritional status have implications on muscle function and handgrip strength (HGS) can be used to diagnose malnutrition. HGS is usually quantified with manual dynamometers and this is a valid, simple and objective method. The main determinants of HGS are sex, age, height, body mass index, physical activity level, occupation and cognitive status. A decrease in HGS is consistently associated with a worse functional status, with increased postoperative complications, length of hospital stay and mortality.

Palabras clave : Hand strength; nutritional status; Prognosis.

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