Assessment of Relationship Between Nutritional Status and Handgrip Strength in Hemodialysis Patients

In hemodialysis patients, the prevalence of malnutrition is high; a decrease in muscle strength is observed. The objective of the research was to evaluate the nutritional status of hemodialysis patients and the relationship between the nutritional status and muscle strength. Materials and Methods. Sixty hemodialysis patients (38 males, 22 females) were chosen from among volunteers. Food consumption, biochemical values, anthropometric measurements, body composition, physical activity status, subjective global assessment, and handgrip strength in individuals were examined. Results. According to subjective global assessment, 73.3% of patients were well-nourished, 26.7% of patients were moderately malnourished. In male patients, a moderate positive correlation was determined between handgrip strength and lean body mass (r=0.359, p < 0.05), albumin level (r=0.408, p < 0.05), energy intake (r=0.437, p < 0.05), protein intake (r=0.345, p < 0.05). In female patients, a moderate positive correlation was determined between handgrip strength and body weight (r=0.470, p < 0.05), body mass index (r=0.472, p < 0.05), triceps skinfold thickness (r=0.530, p < 0.05), mid-upper arm circumference (r=0.515, p < 0.05), mid-upper arm muscle circumference (r=0.557, p < 0.05), lean body mass (r=0.470, p < 0.05), body fat content (%) (r=0.588, p < 0.05), albumin level (r=0.565, p < 0.05). Conclusions. Handgrip strength alongside with more than one method of food consumption, biochemical parameters, subjective global assessment, anthropometric measurements, and body composition should be used for assessing the nutritional status in hemodialysis patients.