Hand grip strength in patients with chronic liver disease and its reliability as a marker for malnutrition

Background. Hand grip strength (HGS) is a simple clinical tool reflecting muscle function and overall health. In chronic liver disease (CLD), HGS is particularly relevant due to its association with malnutrition and sarcopenia. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between HGS and nutritional status in CLD patients and its reliability as a marker of malnutrition and disease severity. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 CLD patients using convenience sampling. Adult patients able to perform the HGS test were included. HGS was measured with a handheld dynamometer, and nutritional status was assessed via Subjective Global Assessment (SGA). Data were analyzed using SPSS v26.0. Results. Mean age was 58.3 years; 60% were male. Liver disease etiologies included alcoholic cirrhosis (40%), viral hepatitis (36%), and NASH (24%). Mean HGS was 16.2 kg and decreased with advancing Child-Pugh class. Malnutrition prevalence was 60%, with higher rates in Child-Pugh Class C. A significant correlation was found between HGS and nutritional status (p < 0.05). Conclusion. HGS correlates significantly with nutritional status and disease severity in CLD. It may serve as a reliable, non-invasive marker for early identification of malnutrition and support timely clinical intervention.