Stair climbing test predicts postoperative outcomes better than gait speed.

In a study involving 548 gastric cancer patients undergoing radical gastrectomy, stair climbing test (SCT) proved to be a superior predictor of postoperative complications and survival outcomes compared to gait speed test (GST). Low SCT performance correlated significantly with increased complications and longer recovery times, while GST did not show similar predictive validity. Combining SCT results with sarcopenia assessments enhanced accuracy in forecasting complications and mortality, highlighting SCT’s critical role in perioperative evaluations.