Association of Calf Circumference, Hand Grip Strength, and Physical Performance With Serious Adverse Events in Individuals With Subacute Stroke Hospitalized for Rehabilitation: An Observational Study.

Objective: To determine whether calf circumference, hand grip strength, and physical performance are linked to the incidence of serious adverse events (SAEs) in patients with subacute stroke.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Single rehabilitation hospital.

Participants: Patients with stroke admitted for rehabilitation hospital.

Intervention: Not applicable.

Main outcome measures: The incidence of SAEs, such as death, cardiovascular events including recurrent stroke, and conditions requiring transfer to another hospital for specialized care or immediate treatment for an acute illness during hospitalization.

Results: A total of 341 patients (median age: 74y) participated in this study, with 232 patients (68%) exhibiting low-physical performance. In the adjusted model, low-physical performance was significantly associated with SAEs (hazard ratio [HR], 3.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-8.68; P=.042). However, low calf circumference (HR, 1.60; 95% CI, 0.76-3.38; P=.219) and low hand grip strength (HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.39-2.42; P=.960) did not show an independent association.

Conclusions: Low-physical performance was independently associated with the occurrence of SAEs during hospitalization for rehabilitation in patients with subacute stroke.