Comparison of Forearm Muscle Dynamometry with Nutritional Prognostic Index, as a Preoperative Indicator in Cancer Patients

We studied 95 patients with cancer of the gastrointestinal tract in various sites. The aim of the study was to compare the forearm dynamometry vs the prognostic nutritional index which was reported by Busby et al, 1890. We used these methods as preoperative prognostic indicators for postoperative mortality and morbidity. The forearm muscle dynamometry has greater positive predictive value (58.33 vs 32.4%), higher sensitivity (77.78 vs 66.6%), and specificity (86.11 vs 65.28%) than the prognostic nutritional index. The forearm muscle dynamometry predicted the patients mortality with a high rate of sensitivity (100%). The results suggest that dynamometry is a useful, rapid, and inexpensive test. It is more accurate than the nutritional index, and can indentify cancer patients at a high risk of developing major postoperative complications, and predict the postoperative morbidity and mortality. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 13:34-36, 1989)