Grip strength and functional recovery after hip fracture: An observational study in elderly population

IntroductionMuscle strength is a common issue in fragility syndrome and sarcopenia, both of them involved in the pathogenesis of falls and fractures.ObjectiveTo study the relationship between hand grip strength and functional recovery after hip fracture surgery.MethodologyThis prospective observational study included patients aged 65 years and older who were admitted to hospital for hip fracture surgery during a 12 month period. Functional status (Barthel Index), mental status (Cruz Roja Index), hand grip strength, 25/OH-Vitamin D plasmatic levels were evaluated at admission. Follow-up was performed 3 months after discharge to assess functional status and survival. Correlations between hand grip strength and the rest of variables were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were further applied. Mean age of subjects was 85.1 ± 0.63 years. Out of 127 subjects, 103 were women and 24 were men. Hand grip strength was obtained in 85 patients (76.5%) and, values were between 3.3 and 24.8 kg and 81 patients (95.2%) had values below cut-point of sarcopenia considering European Working Group of Sarcopenia criteria. Hand grip strength at admission shows significant association to Barthel index at three months and functional recovery. It is also associated with age (P < 0.001) (r = 0.81), sex (P = 0.001), cognitive status by Cruz Roja Index (P < 0.001) and functional status measured at admission by Barthel Index (P < 0.01) (r = −0.22). Multivariate analysis confirmed that variables were independently associated to grip strength.ConclusionHand grip strength measured at admission in Orthogeriatric Unit after hip fracture is directly related to functional recovery in elderly patients.