Feasibility of Systematic Handgrip Strength (HGS) Testing and Short-term Changes in Muscle Strength in Digestive Cancer Patients Treated by Chemotherapy (FIGHTDIGO)

Feasibility of Systematic Handgrip Strength (HGS) Testing and Short-term Changes in Muscle Strength in Digestive Cancer Patients Treated by Chemotherapy

Feasibility of Systematic Handgrip Strength (HGS) Testing and Short-term Changes in Muscle Strength in Digestive Cancer Patients Treated by Chemotherapy

Sarcopenia is defined as a loss in skeletal muscle mass and function (strength and/or performance). There is a high prevalence in elderly and in patients with cancer. Several mechanisms are known to explain sarcopenia (inflammation, neurodegenerative process, hormonal disorders, lack of exercise, malnutrition). The consequences were analysed in several studies where sarcopenia appeared to be an independent factor of mortality, and associated with cancer-related fatigue, nosocomial infections, cardio-vascular diseases, and chemotherapy toxicities. Diagnosis is based on the measure of the muscle mass performing an abdominal computed-tomography (CT) scan, and on the measure of the muscle strength using the handgrip test with a "Jamar®" hydraulic hand dynamometer. CT scan is more invasive and less easy to reach than handgrip test. This test is used to be performing in elderly but not in cancer patients having chemotherapy. Present prospective study explored the feasibility of systematic handgrip strength testing and short-term changes in muscle strength in digestive cancer patients treated by chemotherapy.

number of patients having at least one handgrip strength test among all hospitalized cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

number of handgrip strength test measures per patient, number of handgrip test measures compared to the number of day hospitalisations, number of patients who had all of the measures, between 50 and 100% of measures, less than 50% of measures

to follow the short term evolution of hand grip strength test during 6 months in patients undergoing chemotherapy

to study the association between the evolution of hand grip strength test and the evolution of nutritional indices (anthropometric and biologic)

Inclusion Criteria: patients with digestive cancer having a chemotherapy and/or biotherapy in the department of Reims > 18 years old after patient agreement linked to social security system Exclusion Criteria: legal guardianship < 18 years old neuro-muscular issue

Perrier M, Ordan MA, Barbe C, Mazza C, Botsen D, Moreau J, Renard Y, Brasseur M, Tailliere B, Regnault P, Bertin E, Bouche O. Dynapenia in digestive cancer outpatients: association with markers of functional and nutritional status (the FIGHTDIGO study). Support Care Cancer. 2022 Jan;30(1):207-215. doi: 10.1007/s00520-021-06416-1. Epub 2021 Jul 12.

Botsen D, Ordan MA, Barbe C, Mazza C, Perrier M, Moreau J, Brasseur M, Renard Y, Tailliere B, Slimano F, Bertin E, Bouche O. Dynapenia could predict chemotherapy-induced dose-limiting neurotoxicity in digestive cancer patients. BMC Cancer. 2018 Oct 4;18(1):955. doi: 10.1186/s12885-018-4860-1.