Correlation between handgrip strength and nutritional indicators and its influencing factors in patients with stable COPD: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the Correlation between handgrip strength and nutritional indicators and its influencing factors in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to provide evidence for early nutritional intervention. Stable COPD patients who visited the respiratory department clinic of a Tertiary Grade A hospital in Guangxi from January 2021 to March 2022 were chosen using a convenient sampling method. The general information questionnaire and mini nutritional assessment short-form (MNA-SF) were used for investigation, and the HGS, anthropometric, and laboratory indicators were collected. Correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between HGS and nutritional indicators in patients with stable COPD. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the factors influencing HGS in patients with stable COPD. A total of 232 patients with stable COPD were included, and the HGS was (25.18±7.95)kg. Correlation analysis showed that height, body weight, body mass index (BMI), calf circumference, hemoglobin concentration, total protein concentration, albumin concentration, prealbumin concentration were positively correlated with HGS in stable COPD patients (P <0.05), whereas age was negatively correlated with HGS in stable COPD patients (P <0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that gender, age, number of concomitant diseases, and nutritional status were the influencing factors of HGS in patients with stable COPD (P <0.05), explaining 31.3% of the total variation of HGS in patients with stable COPD. Patients with stage COPD need to improve their HGS, which correlates with nutrition-related indicators. HGS levels are low in female COPD patients who are older, have multiple comorbidities, and are malnourished. Outpatient medical workers should pay attention to the HGS level of stable COPD patients, quickly screen the nutritional status of COPD patients, implement early nutritional intervention, and improve the overall health level of patients.