Association of handgrip strength with nutritional and clinical parameters in ICU patients with acute exacerbation of COPD: A prospective cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition and muscle dysfunction frequently coexist in critically ill patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study aimed to evaluate the association between handgrip strength (HGS) and nutritional, clinical, and biochemical parameters in this population.

METHODS

In this prospective study, 44 patients admitted to the intensive care unit with acute COPD exacerbation were evaluated. Nutritional assessment included mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), body mass index (BMI), Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002), modified Nutrition Risk in the Critically Ill (m-NUTRIC) score, and dietary intake. Serum albumin levels were evaluated as a laboratory parameter. Correlation analyses and linear regression analyses were performed to identify associations with HGS.

RESULTS

HGS was markedly reduced compared with reference values reported in healthy individuals and stable COPD populations. In correlation analyses, HGS showed significant positive associations with serum albumin levels, MUAC, and daily protein intake, and a significant negative association with NRS-2002 scores, while no significant associations were observed with BMI or m-NUTRIC scores. In the linear regression model, serum albumin remained independently associated with HGS (B = 0.781, p = 0.003), while MUAC, NRS-2002 score, and protein intake were not independently associated.

CONCLUSION

Handgrip strength was associated with serum albumin and selected nutritional parameters. It reflects functional status influenced by both nutritional and clinical factors and may complement conventional nutritional assessment in critically ill patients with acute COPD exacerbation.