Aims: OMS-SS is a predictor of falls in older people. To our knowledge, there are no studies that show the relationship between HGS and the risk of falls in geriatric inpatients. Our study examined this relationship and compared it to the OMS-SS in an Australian setting.
Methods: This prospective study included patients aged ≥75 years who were admitted to the acute geriatric wards at Westmead Hospital between May 2024 and January 2025. The Clinical Coding and Falls Hospital-Acquired Complication dataset was used to estimate a sample size of 400 participants to detect a statistically significant effect. Participants were included if they were able to provide consent. Exclusion criteria included an inability to perform dynamometer-based handgrip strength testing, being in palliative care, or receiving intensive care.
Results: The mean age of participants was 84.7 ± 5.7 years, with 54.5% being female. The mean length of stay was 20.6 days (range: 0–133). Of the 400 participants, 54 (13.5%) experienced a fall during admission. Among these participants, the mean HGS was 16.4 ± 7.9 kg, while the mean OMS-SS was 15.7 ± 9.5. Unadjusted regression models showed an inverse relationship between OMS-SS and HGS.
Conclusions: Our pilot study demonstrated that HGS is inversely related to OMS-SS, meaning that as OMS-SS increases, HGS decreases. In an inpatient setting, this relationship may help identify older adults at increased risk of falls during hospitalization. Larger cohort studies are required to confirm the utility of these findings.