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94.3% when compared to height for age in boys. The
positive predictive value of the strength test compared
with the two methods was 70%. However, in the case of
weight for height, it reached low values (25.5% for girls
and 35.5% for boys) (Table 2).
8
(
B
)
TABLE 2
Sensitivity, specificity, and PPV of the muscle
strength test for both sexes.
8
(B)
Weight/Age Height/Age Weight/Height
M F M F M F
Sensitivity (%) 24.7 27.3 26.7 39.3 23.9 25.9
Specificity (%) 94.0 87.8 94.3 76.5 87.4 85.1
PPV
70.0 43.9 70 22.9 31.5 21.5
PPV: positive predictive value; M: male; F: female.
R
ecommendations
The palmar gripping force test is an appropriate tool for
nutritional assessment and screening of adult and el-
derly individuals hospitalized due to cardiovascular, gas-
trointestinal, respiratory, neurologic, surgical, and other
diseases. The test also allows the estimation of hospital
stay and risk of death during hospitalization of patients
with cancer. In patients with liver cirrhosis, the palmar
gripping force test is a good method to predict increased
incidence of major complications. In children, the palmar
gripping force test proved to be specific to measure lean
body mass; however, sensitivity was low when compared
to weight for age, height for age, and weight for height,
which suggests that only children with decreased lean
mass could be identified as malnourished.
R
eferences
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