Cancer, Hospitalizations, Sarcopenia, Cachexia; Cancer; Sarcopenia
Conditions
Keywords
Hand Grip Strength, Prognosis, Hospitalized Cancer Patients, Cachexia, Malnutrition, Functional Decline, Mortality
Brief summary
This prospective cohort study aims to investigate the relationship between hand grip strength and prognosis in hospitalized cancer patients. Hand grip strength, a simple, rapid, and non-invasive measure of overall muscle function, is increasingly recognized as an indicator of frailty, nutritional status, and physical health. The study will evaluate whether lower hand grip strength is associated with higher short-term mortality (30-day all-cause mortality) and adverse clinical outcomes, including ICU admission, hospital readmission, and functional decline.
Detailed description
Hand grip strength declines with age and is associated with frailty, sarcopenia, and cancer cachexia. It is a reliable prognostic marker in cancer patients. In this prospective cohort study, hospitalized patients with pathologically confirmed cancer will undergo hand grip strength measurement within the first 24 hours of admission using a calibrated hand dynamometer. Measurements will be performed on the dominant hand, with patients seated, following international standardized procedures. Three consecutive measurements will be obtained, and the average value will be recorded. Assessments will be conducted by oncology clinicians trained in the protocol. Patients will be followed for 30 days to evaluate primary and secondary endpoints, including all-cause mortality, functional decline, length of hospital stay, intensive care unit admission, readmission, and major complications.
Interventions
Hand grip strength will be measured within the first 24 hours of hospitalization using a calibrated hand dynamometer. Measurements will be performed on the dominant hand, with patients seated, following standardized international procedures. Three consecutive measurements will be obtained, and the average value will be recorded. The test is non-invasive, quick, and performed by oncology clinicians trained in the protocol.
Sponsors
Ankara Etlik City Hospital
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Adults aged 18 years and older * Pathologically confirmed diagnosis of cancer * Hospitalized with an expected hospital stay of more than 48 hours * Ability to provide written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* Diagnosis of anorexia nervosa * Acute pancreatitis or acute liver failure at admission * History of gastric bypass surgery * Presence of chronic active infections * History of solid organ transplantation * Pregnant or breastfeeding women
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 30-day All-Cause Mortality | 30 days after hospital admission | All-cause mortality within 30 days of hospital admission among cancer patients (Yes/No). Mortality status will be assessed through hospital records and follow-up. Hand grip strength values will be analyzed in relation to mortality risk. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital Readmission | 30 days after discharge | All-cause hospital readmission within 30 days of discharge (Yes/No). |
| Functional Decline - ECOG Performance Status | Baseline and 30 days after hospital admission | Decline in functional status assessed by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status (range 0-4; 0 = fully active, 1 = restricted in strenuous activity, 2 = ambulatory but unable to work, 3 = limited self-care, 4 = completely disabled; higher score = worse performance), comparing baseline and 30-day follow-up. |
| Intensive Care Unit Admission | 30 days after hospital admission | Number of patients requiring ICU admission within 30 days of hospital admission (Yes/No). |
| Major Complications | 30 days after hospital admission | Incidence of major complications including hospital-acquired infection, respiratory failure, cardiovascular events, acute renal failure, or gastrointestinal failure within 30 days (Yes/No). |
| Functional Decline - Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) | Baseline and 30 days after hospital admission | Decline in nutritional status assessed by the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) Score (range 0-35; 0-1 = no intervention required, 2-3 = patient/family education, 4-8 = requires dietitian intervention, ≥9 = critical need for nutritional intervention and/or symptom management; higher score = worse nutritional status), comparing baseline and 30-day follow-up. |
| Length of Hospital Stay | Through initial hospitalization, up to 30 days | Duration of initial hospitalization, measured in days from admission to discharge. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed