Adductor pollicis muscle thickness as a predictor of handgrip strength in hemodialysis patients.

INTRODUCTION Recently, the adductor pollicis muscle thickness (APMT) has been suggested as a new nutritional marker in several population. OBJECTIVE In view of the scarce data regarding the use of this marker in CKD patients, we aimed to evaluate APMT and its association with nutritional parameters in patients on hemodialysis. METHODS We evaluated 73 hemodialysis patients (52.3 ± 17 years, without residual renal function). The APMT was assessed in the non vascular access arm by means of skinfold caliper. Body composition (bioelectrical impedance), handgrip strength (HGS, dynamometer), nutritional status (subjective global assessment), and laboratory parameters (creatinine, total protein and albumin) were also evaluated. RESULTS Subjects with APMT values above the median were in greater proportion black/ brown, younger and had higher HGS. The APMT correlated positively with HGS, albumin and body cell mass (%), and negatively with age. In the linear regression analysis adjusted for sex, age and length on hemodialysis, APMT was independently associated with HGS. CONCLUSION APMT was able to predict HGS in hemodialysis patients, suggesting APMT as a promising nutritional marker in this population.