Imagine if a simple handshake could offer powerful insights into renal disease. This isn’t just a metaphor - grip strength has emerged as an indispensable data point for assessing and monitoring patients with complex health conditions, including renal disease. In this article, we explore several grip strength insights related to renal disease.
The measurement of grip strength parameters in patients with renal disease provides a quick, non-invasive health gauge. It reflects muscle strength, often compromised in those with impaired kidney function.
Advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) frequently leads to protein-energy wasting (PEW), causing significant muscle and fat loss, which is linked to higher illness and mortality rates. Thus, diminished grip strength is a key biomarker for assessing renal disease risk and progression.
This document explains how grip strength can be used in clinical practice to assess risk, progression and prognosis in patients with renal disease.
“Grip strength is a key indicator of health; it’s a proxy for your overall strength and physical function.”
‘Outlive’ by Peter Attia MD; Longevity Expert
Grip Strength Significance: Prediction of Kidney Disease-Related Mortality
For men with early-stage kidney disease, a grip strength below 37.5 lbs* signals poorer outcomes, while for women, the threshold is 15.4 lbs*. [Chang et al., 2011]
Grip Strength and Renal Disease: Prediction of Prognosis and System Burden
A grip strength of at least 43.0 lbs* for men and 35.5 lbs* for women who receive maintenance haemodialysis can be key in improving nutritional status and reducing hospital visits. [Silva et al., 2010]
*Note that all cut off points have been converted to GripAble-equivalent measurements for consistency
Clinical Application
Measure grip strength during routine check-ups to assess risk factors and track trends over time. For high-risk patients, consider providing a hand dynamometer for regular, at-home monitoring. Pay attention when grip strength drops below cut-off points or decreases by more than a quartile.
Patient Empowerment
Give patients access to their grip strength scores - a clear, tangible measure they can easily understand and actively improve with guidance. Unlike blood pressure, grip strength is relatable and empowering, enabling patients to track their progress as a key indicator of their independence.
Practical Considerations
Grip strength is an objective, non-invasive measure of patient condition and risk profiles. It helps guide treatment plans by assessing severity and identifying the most appropriate interventions.
Reduce Utilization: better risk stratification and monitoring
Improve Patient Satisfaction: where appropriate, give patients a quick, non-invasive tool to monitor disease status and response to treatment at home
Support Risk Adjustment: quantify disease and treatment impact by using grip strength as an objective measure of muscle health
For further reading, dive into our extensive collection of studies on using a hand dynamometer, grip strength and more here including:
Contribute: Partner with us in research or patient case studies to advance the knowledge of grip strength as a biomarker.
Understand: Get the essentials on hand dynamometry and how to integrate grip strength into your practice with our comprehensive guide.
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Website: www.able-care.co Email: hello@able-care.co
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