Abstract: Objective To study the appropriate time for regular grip strength measurement in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Methods A total of 112 MHD patients were divided into young group (n=18), middle age group (n=63), and old age group (n=31). Grip strength values were measured in the longest time gap and the shortest time gap before and after a hemodialysis (HD) session. Result ①The average grip strength was 30.90±12.63 kg before a HD session, and was 28.95±12.08 kg after a HD session (t =5.999, P=0.000) in the MHD patients. ②Grip strength reached 30.90±12.63 kg in the longest dialysis time gap, and 31.62 ± 12.17 kg in the shortest dialysis time gap before HD session (t =-2.388, P=0.019) in the MHD patients. ③In young group, grip strength was 44.56±13.63 kg in the longest dialysis time gap, and was 42.81±13.25 kg in the shortest dialysis time gap; in middle age group, grip strength was 31.11±10.31 kg in the longest dialysis time gap, and was 32.24±10.56 kg in the shortest dialysis time gap; in old age group, grip strength was 22.55± 9.04 kg in the longest dialysis time gap, and was 23.84±8.93 kg in the shortest dialysis time gap (F=24.087 and 17.948; t =0.000). ④The average grip strength was 32.44±12.22 kg measured from the predominant handed side in 100 MHD patients, and was 24.13±9.59 kg measured from the non-predominant handed side in 12 (10.7%) MHD patients (t =2.105, P=0.038). Conclusion The shortest dialysis time gap before HD session was the appropriate time for grip strength measurement in MHD patients. Grip strength at this time point reached maximal value, well reflecting the nutritional status in MHD patients

Key words: Maintenance hemodialysis, Handgrip strength