HANDGRIP STRENGTH AS A SCREENING TOOL FOR SARCOPENIA IN CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE: A CASE–CONTROL STUDY FROM NORTH INDIA

Background: Sarcopenia is highly prevalent in chronic liver disease (CLD) and contributes to decompensation, hospitalization, and mortality. Handgrip strength (HGS), a simple bedside measure, is now considered the primary criterion for sarcopenia by EWGSOP2. Aim: To compare HGS between CLD patients and healthy controls, examine its association with disease severity, and estimate prevalence of low HGS using Indian cut-offs. Methods: In this hospital-based cross-sectional study, 100 consecutive CLD patients and 100 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled. HGS was measured using a calibrated dynamometer under standardized conditions. Low HGS was dened as <27 kg (men) and <16 kg (women) per INASL consensus. Results: Mean HGS was signicantly lower in CLD patients compared with controls (26.6 ± 7.9 vs 35.9 ± 5.4 kg, p<0.001). Overall, 47% of cases had low HGS versus 5% of controls (χ²=43.69, p<3.9×10⁻¹¹). The prevalence increased stepwise with worsening liver function (CTP-A: 5.6%, CTP-B: 31.6%, CTP-C: 77.3%). Conclusion: Nearly half of CLD patients exhibit clinically signicant weakness. HGS is a feasible, low-cost screening tool that should be routinely incorporated into CLD assessment.