Predictive value of handgrip strength assessment for quality of life in cancer patients

ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between handgrip strength and quality of life in cancer patients,and to analyze gender differences.MethodsA total of 291 cancer patients hospitalized in the oncology department of a hospital in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from October 2023 to January 2024 were selected.A survey was conducted using a general information questionnaire and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire⁃Core 30(EORTC QLQ⁃C30).Patients' handgrip strength was measured,and nutritional risk was assessed using the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS2002).Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between handgrip strength and quality of life in cancer patients of different genders,and linear regression analysis was further used to explore the impact of handgrip strength on patients' quality of life.ResultsIn male cancer patients,handgrip strength was positively correlated with functional domain scores and global health status scores(<italic>P</italic>&lt;0.05),and negatively correlated with fatigue and pain scores in the symptom domain(<italic>P</italic>&lt;0.05).In female cancer patients, handgrip strength was negatively correlated with the single-item scores for appetite loss and diarrhea(<italic>P</italic>&lt;0.05),and positively correlated with financial difficulties scores(<italic>P</italic>&lt;0.05).The multivariate regression model after adjusting for confounding factors showed that in male patients, greater handgrip strength was associated with higher scores in functional domains and global health status(<italic>P</italic>&lt;0.05),and lower fatigue scores in the symptom domain(<italic>P</italic>&lt;0.05).In female patients,greater handgrip strength was associated with lower scores for appetite loss and higher scores for financial difficulties(<italic>P</italic>&lt;0.05).ConclusionsHandgrip strength has an impact on function,fatigue,and global health status in male cancer patients,and on appetite loss and financial difficulties in female cancer patients.As a simple and objective measurement indicator,handgrip strength can be used for the auxiliary assessment of quality of life in cancer patients.