The SUSS test was designed for use in the evaluation of which of the following conditions?
The SUSS (sit up squat and stand) test was developed to assist in the evaluation and assessment of anorexia nervosa.
It is a more accurate way of assessing power as conventional neurological examination of patients with anorexia often fails to pick up significant power deficits which result from muscle wasting.
The test involves getting a patient to sit up from a lying down position and then to squat and stand up again. It has a formal scoring schedule.
The SUSS (sit up squat and stand) test was developed to assist in the evaluation and assessment of anorexia nervosa.
It is a more accurate way of assessing power as conventional neurological examination of patients with anorexia often fails to pick up significant power deficits which result from muscle wasting.
The test involves getting a patient to sit up from a lying down position and then to squat and stand up again. It has a formal scoring schedule.
Anorexia (physical complications)
Recognised physical complications of anorexia nervosa are listed in the following table.
| System | Complications |
|---|---|
| Cardiac | Bradycardia, hypotension, arrhythmia, prolonged QT interval, ventricular tachycardia, peripheral edema, sudden death |
| Skeletal | Osteoporosis |
| Hematologic | Anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia |
| Reproductive | Amenorrhea, low levels of LH and FSH, premature births |
| Metabolic | Hypothyroidism, hypothermia, dehydration, hypoglycemia, hypokalaemia, hypomagnesaemia, metabolic alkalosis |
| Gastrointestinal | Delayed gastric emptying, constipation, pancreatitis |
| CNS | Cerebral atrophy, depression, cognitive impairment |
| Dermatological | Lanugo, hypercarotenemia |
The Royal College of Psychiatrists issues advice regarding the management of sick patients with anorexia nervosa (MARSIPAN).
They suggest the following to be high risk items (for adults) that should lead clinicians to consider the need for hospital admission:
| High risk items |
|---|
| BMI < 13 |
| Pulse < 40bpm |
| SUSS test < 2* |
| Sodium < 130 mmol/L |
| Potassium < 3 mmol/L |
| Serum glucose < 3 mmol/L |
| QTc > 450 ms |
*The SUSS test (sit up squat stand test)
*The SUSS test (sit up squat stand test)
In the SUSS Test, the patient is asked to sit up from lying supine on a flat surface without using
the hands, if possible. They are then asked to squat and to rise without using the hands, if possible.
Rating
The scale used for rating both squatting and sitting is as follows:
0 completely unable to rise
1 able to rise only with use of hands
2 able to rise with noticeable difficulty
3 able to rise without difficulty
