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Hand-grip strength does not correlate with treatment-related weight loss in patients with head and neck cancer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 July 2015

B Cosway ,
M Easby ,
S Covington ,
I Bowe  and
V Paleri
B Cosway
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
M Easby
Affiliation:
Department of Dietetics, James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK
S Covington
Affiliation:
Department of Dietetics, Sunderland Royal Hospital, UK
I Bowe
Affiliation:
Department of Dietetics, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
V Paleri*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Prof Vinidh Paleri, Department of Otolaryngology, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7DN, UK E-mail: Vinidh.Paleri@newcastle.ac.uk
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Abstract

Background:

Hand-grip strength has been shown to be a reliable predictor of health outcomes. However, evidence supporting its use as an indicator of nutritional status is inconsistent. This study investigated its use in monitoring nutritional status in patients with head and neck cancer.

Methods:

A prospective audit of patients treated for head and neck cancer was undertaken at four centres over a three-month period in 2009. Nutritional outcomes were collected at 3, 6 and 12 months, and the data were statistically analysed.

Results:

Data from 114 patients showed that mean weight, but not hand-grip strength, fell significantly at 3, 6 and 12 months post-treatment (p < 0.003 vs p < 0.126).

Conclusion:

A fall in weight does not coincide with a drop in hand-grip strength in patients receiving treatment for head and neck cancer. Hand-grip strength may therefore not be of benefit in the nutritional assessment of these patients and should not be part of routine assessment.

Keywords

Head And Neck NeoplasmsHand StrengthNutritional StatusWeight Loss
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 129 , Issue 7 , July 2015 , pp. 706 - 709
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2015 

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Footnotes

On behalf of the North of England Cancer Network Audit group.

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