Screening of malnutrition using Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment tool and hand muscle strength in...

Pancreatitis patients are at an increased risk of malnutrition due to impaired digestion, absorption, and metabolism. The degree of malnutrition is dependent on the duration, viz. acute or chronic. Studies on nutritional status in patients with pancreatitis are limited. Prevalence of nutritional status, physical functioning, and muscle strength among the subjects are scarce globally. The main aim of this study was to screen the status of malnutrition using appropriate screening tools and to assess hand muscle strength among subjects.

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 64 subjects (18-80 years old, 59 males and 5 females) in Mysore city, Karnataka. The patients were screened for malnutrition using a standard tool Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) and handgrip strength on both dominant and nondominant hands.

The majority of patients (n = 44) were categorized as moderately malnourished/suspected malnutrition (Stage B) according to PG-SGA. A significant difference (p < 0.005) in handgrip strength was seen in men aged 31-40 (t = -3.287) and 41-50 (t = -5.487) years compared to healthy adults.

This study was able to identify patients at risk of malnutrition when the PG-SGA tool was used along with handgrip strength and other anthropometric parameters.