Geriatric nutritional risk index correlates with length of hospital stay and inflammatory markers in older inpatients

Selected Biochemical, Hematological, and Immunological Blood Parameters for the Identification of Malnutrition in Polish Senile Inpatients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background/Objectives: Malnutrition in senile patients leads to functional disability while reducing quality of life. Medical professionals should routinely assess their nutritional status during hospitalization. However, diagnosing malnutrition may be difficult, especially since obesity may mask malnourishment. Thus, it is essential to search for biomarkers that improve the identification of malnourished inpatients. Methods: In the present cross-sectional study, selected venous blood parameters were analyzed in 137 older inpatients at the age of 80.5 ± 7.78 admitted to the Geriatrics Clinic of the Antoni Jurasz University Hospital No. 1 in Bydgoszcz, Poland between 2017 and 2018, for a comprehensive geriatric assessment. The participants were grouped according to their nutritional risks based on the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and the Geriatric Nutrition Risk Index (GNRI). The Kruskal-Wallis test was utilized to evaluate the equality of variances for a variable calculated for two or more groups. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: For total protein, albumin, homocysteine, hemoglobin, hematocrit, total magnesium, total calcium, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and interferon γ-induced protein 10 (IP-10), statistically significant differences were found between groups of patients classified by the MNA. However, additional significant differences were also observed for creatinine, folic acid, and triglycerides, according to the GNRI compartmentalization. The results indicate that decreased levels of albumin (<3 g/dL) and hemoglobin (<11 g/dL), along with elevated homocysteine, CRP, IL-6 (>7.5 pg/mL), and IP-10 (>250 pg/mL), should alert medical professionals to potential malnutrition in hospitalized patients. Conclusions: Routine analysis of venous blood parameters can help rapidly identify malnutrition and the immediate implementation of a specialized diet.

Association between NAFLD and liver fibrosis with nutritional risk index based on the NHANES 2017-2018

BACKGROUND

Nutrition and its associated inflammation have been acknowledged as vital factors in the etiopathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and liver fibrosis. The nutritional risk index (NRI) has been widely recognized as a valid indicator of nutritional status in several diseases, including osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. However, the role of NRI in NAFLD and liver fibrosis remains unclear.

METHODS

Participants were selected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data for the 2017-2018 cycle. Association between NRI and both NAFLD and liver fibrosis was evaluated using multiple logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis. Mediation analysis was employed to assess the influence of inflammation on the association between NRI and both NAFLD and liver fibrosis.

RESULTS

Compared to their respective control groups, individuals with NAFLD and liver fibrosis exhibited higher NRI levels. Multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that NRI was positively associated with the odds of NAFLD and liver fibrosis across both continuous scales and quantile groups, with adjustments for relevant covariables. The RCS model demonstrated a dose-response effect between NRI and the odds of NAFLD, but not with liver fibrosis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed the area under the ROC curves of 0.798 and 0.775 for NAFLD and liver fibrosis, respectively. Mediation analysis showed that inflammation accounted for 3.139% of the effect of NRI on the odds of NAFLD, suggesting inflammation might partially mediate the impact of NRI on NAFLD.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that NRI may serve as a potential associated marker for these liver diseases, underscoring the importance of nutritional status in their etiopathogenesis.

Geriatric Nutrition Risk Index is closely associated with sarcopenia and quality of life in gastric cancer patients: a cross-sectional study

Impaired nutritional status is closely related to the development of sarcopenia and poor quality of life (QoL) in cancer patients. This study aimed to investigate the association of Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) with sarcopenia and QoL in patients with gastric cancer (GC). Sarcopenia was diagnosed based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 criteria. This cross-sectional study included a total of 311 patients with GC. Among them, 57 (18.3%) patients were diagnosed with sarcopenia. GNRI showed significant correlations with sarcopenia-related indicators including skeletal muscle index, handgrip strength, gait speed, and 5-time chair stand time (p < 0.001). A significant association was observed between GNRI and sarcopenia [odds ratio (OR) = 0.815, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.760-0.874, p < 0.001] in the multivariate analysis. The optimal cutoff value of GNRI for predicting sarcopenia was 94.98, with a sensitivity of 75.4% and specificity of 73.2%. Patients with low GNRI exhibited significantly lower scores in terms of global health status and most functional scales. Furthermore, the majority of symptoms exhibited greater severity in patients with low GNRI. In conclusion, the present study revealed that GNRI was closely associated with sarcopenia and QoL, and could effectively predict sarcopenia in patients with GC.

Low geriatric nutritional risk index is associated with osteoporosis and fracture risk in patients with chronic liver disease: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) frequently suffer from malnutrition and bone diseases, both of which heighten the risk of poor clinical outcomes. This study investigated the relationship between geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) and osteoporosis or fracture risk using the fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) in patients with CLD.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 209 consecutive patients with CLD. The participants were divided into two groups: the all-risk group (GNRI ≤ 98.0) with nutrition-related risk and the no-risk group (GNRI > 98.0) without nutrition-related risk. Osteoporosis was diagnosed according to the World Health Organization criteria. The FRAX was used to estimate the 10-year probabilities of hip fracture (FRAX-HF) and major osteoporotic fracture (FRAX-MOF).

RESULTS

Of the 209 patients, 72 (34.4%) had osteoporosis. The all-risk group had a significantly higher prevalence of osteoporosis than the no-risk group (p < 0.001). Conversely, patients with osteoporosis had significantly lower GNRI than those without osteoporosis (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis found lower GNRI to be a significant and independent risk factor for osteoporosis (odds ratio [OR], 0.927; p < 0.001) and high fracture risk derived from FRAX (without BMD) (OR, 0.904; p = 0.009). GNRI had a positive correlation with bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip, but a negative correlation with FRAX-HF and FRAX-MOF in the FRAX with and without BMD (p < 0.001 for all). The cutoff value of GNRI for predicting osteoporosis was 104.9, with sensitivity of 0.667 and specificity of 0.657.

CONCLUSIONS

The GNRI was significantly associated with osteoporosis and FRAX-derived fracture risk in patients with CLD, suggesting that it could be a simple and useful indicator for the management of bone diseases.

Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index is associated with adverse outcomes in patients with hypertension: the Fukushima Cohort study

Malnutrition is reportedly associated with adverse clinical outcomes in various populations. However, associations between nutritional status and adverse outcomes in patients with hypertension have not been sufficiently elucidated. We therefore aimed to investigate the impact of nutritional status as evaluated by the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) on adverse outcomes in patients with hypertension. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 1588 hypertensive patients enrolled in the Fukushima Cohort Study. Participants were categorized into tertiles (T1-T3) according to GNRI at baseline. The primary endpoint of the present study was a kidney event, defined as a combination of a 50% decline in eGFR from baseline and end-stage kidney disease requiring kidney replacement therapy. Associations between GNRI and kidney events were assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Median age was 64 years, 55% were men, median eGFR was 63.1 mL/min/1.73 m2, and median GNRI was 101.3. The lower GNRI group (T1) showed an increased incidence of kidney events in the Kaplan-Meier curve analysis. Compared to the highest GNRI group (T3), lower GNRI carried a higher risk of kidney events for both T2 (hazard ratio [HR] 1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.71-2.68) and T1 (HR 3.59, 95%CI 1.96-6.63). Similar relationships were observed for risks of all-cause death and cardiovascular events. Lower GNRI was associated with kidney events, all-cause death, and cardiovascular events in patients with hypertension. Nutritional status as evaluated by GNRI could offer a simple and useful predictor of adverse outcomes in this population.

Association of lower urinary tract symptoms and geriatric nutritional risk index in men: a cross-sectional study based on NHANES

Background

Despite previous literature exploring the factors influencing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), few studies have examined the relationship between nutritional status and LUTS.

Objectives

The objective of this research was to evaluate the relationship between LUTS and Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) in middle-aged and older men.

Methods

We included 2,607 men in the NHANES 2005-2006 and 2007-2008 cycles for cross-sectional analysis. We screened for LUTS based on four specific questions on the relevant questionnaire. We calculated GNRI according to the relevant calculation formula and included other covariates. Multivariate logistic analysis using GNRI as the principal independent variable and adjusting for other covariates were used to determine the association with LUTS, nocturia, and daytime LUTS.

Results

According to the responses to the questionnaire, out of 2,607 eligible participants, 471 had LUTS, 906 had nocturia, and 819 had daytime LUTS. In the unadjusted regression model, LUTS (OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.91-0.96, p < 0.001), nocturia (OR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.88-0.93, p < 0.001), and daytime LUTS (OR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.94-0.99, p = 0.002) were significantly negatively associated with GNRI. After adjustment by adding covariates, LUTS (OR = 0.97,95% CI =0.94-0.99, p = 0.026) and nocturia (OR = 0.94, 95% CI =0.91-0.93, p < 0.001) were significantly negatively associated with GNRI.

Conclusion

Low GNRI was associated with the development of LUTS. In the prevention and treatment of LUTS, urologists should consider the impact of nutritional status on LUTS, and interventions for nutritional status may prevent and improve LUTS.

Geriatric nutritional risk index as a predictor for fragility fracture risk in elderly with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A 9-year ambispective longitudinal cohort study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The elderly are prone to fragility fractures, especially those suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) combined with osteoporosis. Although studies have confirmed the association between GNRI and the prevalence of osteoporosis, the relationship between GNRI and fragility fracture risk and the individualized 10-year probability of osteoporotic fragility fractures estimated by FRAX remains unclear. This study aims to delve into the association between the GNRI and a fragility fracture and the 10-year probability of hip fracture (HF) and major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) evaluated by FRAX in elderly with T2DM.

METHODS

A total of 580 patients with T2DM aged ≥60 were recruited in the study from 2014 to 2023. This research is an ambispective longitudinal cohort study. All participants were followed up every 6 months for 9 years with a median of 3.8 years through outpatient services, medical records, and home fixed-line telephone interviews. According to the tertiles of GNRI, all subjects were divided into three groups: low-level (59.72-94.56, n = 194), moderate-level (94.56-100.22, n = 193), and high-level (100.22-116.45, n = 193). The relationship between GNRI and a fragility fracture and the 10-year probability of HF and MOF calculated by FRAX was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, Spearman correlation analyses, restricted cubic spline (RCS) analyses, multivariable Cox regression analyses, stratified analyses, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.

RESULTS

Of 580 participants, 102 experienced fragile fracture events (17.59%). ROC analysis demonstrated that the optimal GNRI cut-off value was 98.58 with a sensitivity of 75.49% and a specificity of 47.49%, respectively. Spearman partial correlation analyses revealed that GNRI was positively related to 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25-(OH) D] (r = 0.165, P < 0.001) and bone mineral density (BMD) [lumbar spine (LS), r = 0.088, P = 0.034; femoral neck (FN), r = 0.167, P < 0.001; total hip (TH), r = 0.171, P < 0.001]; negatively correlated with MOF (r = -0.105, P = 0.012) and HF (r = -0.154, P < 0.001). RCS analyses showed that GNRI was inversely S-shaped dose-dependent with a fragility fracture event (P < 0.001) and was Z-shaped with the 10-year MOF (P = 0.03) and HF (P = 0.01) risk assessed by FRAX, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that compared with high-level GNRI, moderate-level [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.950; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.076-3.535; P = 0.028] and low-level (HR = 2.538; 95% CI = 1.378-4.672; P = 0.003) had an increased risk of fragility fracture. Stratified analysis exhibited that GNRI was negatively correlated with the risk of fragility fracture, which the stratification factors presented in the forest plot were not confounding factors and did not affect the prediction effect of GNRI on the fragility fracture events in this overall cohort population (P for interaction > 0.05), despite elderly females aged ≥70, with body mass index (BMI) ≥24, hypertension, and with or without anemia (all P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis identified that the lower-level GNRI group had a higher cumulative incidence of fragility fractures (log-rank, all P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study confirms for the first time that GNRI is negatively related to a fragility fracture and the 10-year probability of osteoporotic fragility fractures assessed by FRAX in an inverse S-shaped and Z-shaped dose-dependent pattern in elderly with T2DM, respectively. GNRI may serve as a valuable predictor for fragility fracture risk in elderly with T2DM. Therefore, in routine clinical practice, paying attention to the nutritional status of the elderly with T2DM and giving appropriate dietary guidance may help prevent a fragility fracture event.

Appropriate Anthropometric Indices for Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index in Predicting Mortality in Older Japanese Patients: A Comparison of the Lorentz Formula and Body Mass Index

The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) is a popular nutritional screening tool. However, the calculation of ideal body weight (IBW) differs among studies. We aimed to compare GNRI calculated using the Lorentz formula (LF) with a body mass index (BMI) and to investigate the cutoffs based on original or quartile criteria for the association with mortality in elderly patients in Japan. This retrospective study enrolled patients aged 65 and older in a long-term care hospital. The GNRI was calculated using two different IBW methods: the LF and a BMI of 22 kg/m2. We categorized GNRI results based on the original criteria or quartile criteria. Mortality outcomes were analyzed using the GNRI based on IBW (LF or BMI) and its classification (original criteria or quartile) through Cox proportional hazard regression. There were 262 participants, including 160 women, with a median age of 86. There was a notable difference between GNRI-BMI and GNRI-LF. The GNRI-LF original and quartile criteria did not show an association with mortality. A significant association with mortality was found between Q1 and Q4 in the GNRI-BMI quartile criteria (hazard ratio: 2.60; 95% confidence interval: 1.66-4.07, p < 0.01), but not the GNRI-BMI original criteria. The GNRI calculated using BMI with quartile criteria proved to be a reliable predictor of mortality for Japanese elderly inpatients. The calculation method of GNRI and the appropriate cutoff point should be considered based on the patient's background.

Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index predicts bleeding event in patients with heart failure

AIMS

We aimed to elucidate the association between malnutrition and the occurrence of bleeding events in patients with heart failure.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We evaluated the nutritional status of patients with heart failure [n = 2044, median (inter-quartile range) age 69.0 (59.0-78.0) years, 1209 (59.1%) males] using the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI). The primary endpoint was a composite of bleeding events such as haemorrhagic stroke or gastrointestinal bleeding. According to the survival classification and regression tree analysis, the accurate cut-off point of GNRI for predicting the primary endpoint was 106.2. We divided the patients into two groups based on GNRI levels: high GNRI group (GNRI ≥ 106.2, n = 606, 29.6%) and low GNRI group (GNRI < 106.2, n = 1438, 70.4%). We compared the patients' characteristics and prognosis between the two groups. The low GNRI group was older [72.0 (63.0-79.0) vs. 63.0 (53.0-73.0) years, P < 0.001] and had a lower prevalence of male sex (56.9% vs. 64.5%, P = 0.001). There were no differences in the use of antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants between the two groups. Levels of B-type natriuretic peptide were higher [321.1 (123.3-667.4) vs. 111.6 (42.6-235.4) pg/mL, P < 0.001] and levels of haemoglobin were lower [12.4 (10.8-13.7) vs. 14.2 (12.9-15.4) g/dL, P < 0.001] in the low GNRI group. The Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that bleeding event rates were higher in the low GNRI group (log-rank P < 0.001). The multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed that low GNRI (hazard ratio 1.952, 95% confidence interval 1.002-3.805, P = 0.049) was associated with bleeding events.

CONCLUSIONS

Heart failure patients with poor nutritional status, determined by GNRI under 106.2, experienced high bleeding event rates. Comprehensive management is required to avoid bleeding event in those populations.

The geriatric nutrition risk index is longitudinally associated with incident Sarcopenia: evidence from a 5-year prospective cohort

BACKGROUND

Previous studies investigating the association between the geriatric nutrition risk index (GNRI) and sarcopenia either lacked longitudinal evidence or narrowly focused on specific populations.

AIMS

We aimed to reveal longitudinal associations of GNRI with sarcopenia risk in community-dwelling Chinese. We also investigated interaction effects of potential factors on such associations.

METHODS

We included participants aged ≥ 50 years with sufficient data from the WCHAT study who did not have sarcopenia at baseline and completed sarcopenia assessment during follow-up. GNRI was calculated according to the formula based on serum albumin, height and weight. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the 2019 AWGS consensus. Longitudinal associations between GNRI and sarcopenia were estimated by logistic regression with GNRI as either a continuous or categorical variable by tertiles, using generalized estimating equations (GEE) as sensitivity analyses. Subgroup analyses by potential covariates were conducted to detect interaction effects.

RESULTS

A total of 1907 participants without baseline sarcopenia were finally included, of whom 327 (17.1%) developed incident sarcopenia during 5-year follow-up. After controlling for confounders, sarcopenia risk decreased with each one standard deviation increase in GNRI (ORadjusted=0.36, 95% CI 0.31-0.43), and it also decreased successively from the lowest (< 111.2) through middle (111.2-117.7) to the highest (≥ 117.8) tertile of the GNRI level (P for trend < 0.001). Similar results were yielded by GEE. Such associations generally remained robust across subgroups with distinct characteristics, while significant differences were observed between different age groups (≥ 65 vs. <65 years) (interaction P-value < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

GNRI is longitudinally associated with sarcopenia risk with possibly age-specific differences in association magnitude, which holds implications for policymakers to conduct population-based risk assessment.

Geriatric nutritional risk index and adverse medical outcomes among Egyptian patients admitted to a geriatric hospital: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Elderly are one of the most heterogeneous and vulnerable groups who have a higher risk of nutritional problems. Malnutrition is prevalent among hospitalized elderly but underdiagnosed and almost undistinguishable from the changes in the aging process. The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) is a tool created to predict nutrition-related complications in hospitalized patients. This study aims to measure the prevalence of nutritional risk using the GNRI among hospitalized elderly Egyptian inpatients and to determine the association between the GNRI and selected adverse clinical outcomes.

METHODS

A hospital-based prospective cohort study was conducted among 334 elderly patients admitted to a tertiary specialized geriatric university hospital in Cairo, Egypt from August 2021 to June 2022. Within 48 hours after hospital admission, socio-demographic characteristics, blood biomarkers, anthropometric measurements, and nutritional risk assessment by the GNRI score were obtained. Patients were divided into three groups based on their GNRI: high, low, and no nutritional risk (GNRI<92, 92-98, and >98) respectively. Patients were followed up for the occurrence of adverse outcomes during hospital stay (bed sores, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), hospital Length of Stay (LOS), and hospital mortality) and three months after discharge (non-improvement medical status, appearance of new medical conditions, hospital readmission and 90-day mortality). Multivariable regression and survival analysis were conducted.

RESULTS

The prevalence of high-nutritional risk was 45.5% (95% CI, 40%-51%). Patients with high risk had significantly longer LOS than those with no risk. The high-nutritional risk was significantly associated with the development of bed sores (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 4.89; 95% CI, 1.37-17.45), HAIs (AOR: 3.18; 95% CI, 1.48-6.83), and hospital mortality (AOR: 4.41; 95% CI, 1.04-18.59). The overall survival rate was significantly lower among patients with high-nutritional risk compared to those with no risk.

CONCLUSION

GNRI is a simple and easily applicable objective nutritional screening tool with high prognostic value in this Egyptian sample of patients. The findings of this study signal the initiation of the application of this tool to all geriatric hospitals in Egypt.

Predictive value of nutritional indices for left atrial thrombus in patients with valvular atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND

The prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) are well known indicators for adverse outcomes in various diseases, but there is no evidence on their association with the risk of left atrial thrombus (LAT) in patients with valvular atrial fibrillation (VAF).

METHODS

A comparative cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 433 VAF patients. Demographics, clinical characteristics and echocardiographic data were collected and analyzed. Patients were grouped by the presence of LAT detected by transesophageal echocardiography.

RESULTS

LAT were identified in 142 patients (32.79%). The restricted cubic splines showed an L-shaped relationship between PNI and LAT. The dose-response curve flattened out near the horizontal line with OR = 1 at the level of 49.63, indicating the risk of LAT did not decrease if PNI was greater than 49.63. GNRI was negative with the risk of LAT and tended to be protective when greater than 106.78. The best cut-off values of PNI and GNRI calculated by receiver operating characteristics curve to predict LAT were 46.4 (area under these curve [AUC]: 0.600, 95% confidence interval [CI]:0.541-0.658, P = 0.001) and 105.7 (AUC: 0.629, 95% CI:0.574-0.684, P<0.001), respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that PNI ≤ 46.4 (odds ratio: 2.457, 95% CI:1.333-4.526, P = 0.004) and GNRI ≤ 105.7 (odds ratio: 2.113, 95% CI:1.076-4.149, P = 0.030) were independent predictors of LAT, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower nutritional indices (GNRI and PNI) were associated with increased risk for LAT in patients with VAF.

Low geriatric nutritional risk index predicts poor prognosis in patients with cirrhosis: a retrospective study

Aim

Malnutrition, which increases the risk of liver disease-related events and mortality, is a serious complication in cirrhosis. This study aimed to investigate whether the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) could predict the long-term prognosis in patients with cirrhosis.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 266 patients with cirrhosis and classified them into two groups based on baseline GNRI scores: risk (≤98, n = 104) and no-risk groups (>98, n = 162). The cumulative survival rates were compared between the two groups in patients with compensated and decompensated cirrhosis, respectively. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to identify significant and independent factors associated with mortality.

Results

The median observation period was 54.9 (33.6-61.7) months and 65 (24.4%) liver disease-related deaths occurred during the follow-up period. The GNRI scores significantly and inversely correlated with Child-Pugh score (r = -0.579), model for end-stage liver disease score (r = -0.286), and Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (r = -0.494). Multivariate analysis identified low GNRI as a significant and independent factor associated with mortality [overall cohort: hazard ratio (HR), 0.926; p < 0.001; compensated cirrhosis: HR, 0.947; p = 0.003; decompensated cirrhosis: HR, 0.923; p < 0.001]. The risk group demonstrated significantly lower cumulative survival rates than the no-risk group in overall cohort, and patients with compensated and decompensated cirrhosis (p < 0.001, <0.001, and = 0.013, respectively).

Conclusion

Low GNRI was associated with poor long-term prognosis in both patients with compensated and decompensated cirrhosis. Therefore, the GNRI is a simple and useful tool for predicting prognosis and modifying the nutritional status in patients with cirrhosis.

Geriatric nutritional risk index was associated with in-hospital mortality among cardiac intensive care unit patients

Background

Identifying risk factors associated with cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) patients' prognosis can help clinicians intervene earlier and thus improve their prognosis. The correlation between the geriatric nutrition risk index (GNRI), which reflects nutritional status, and in-hospital mortality among CICU patients has yet to be established.

Method

The present study retrospectively enrolled 4,698 CICU patients. Based on the nutritional status, the participants were categorized into four groups. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. The length of hospital stay and length of CICU stay were the secondary endpoints. To explore the correlation between nutritional status and in-hospital mortality, a logistic regression analysis was conducted. The nonlinear associations of GNRI with in-hospital mortality were evaluated using restricted cubic spline (RCS). Furthermore, subgroup analyses were conducted to evaluate the effect of the GNRI on in-hospital mortality across different subgroups, with calculation of the p for interaction.

Result

A higher risk of malnutrition was significantly linked to an increased incidence of in-hospital mortality (High risk vs. No risk: 26.2% vs. 4.6%, p < 0.001), as well as a longer length of hospital stay (High risk vs. No risk: 15.7, 9.1-25.1 vs. 8.9, 6.9-12.9, p < 0.001) and CICU stay (High risk vs. No risk: 6.4, 3.8-11.9 vs. 3.2, 2.3-5.1, p < 0.001). An elevated GNRI was significantly associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality even after controlling for pertinent confounding factors (High risk vs. No risk: OR, 95% CI: 2.37, 1.67-3.37, p < 0.001, p for trend <0.001). Additionally, the RCS model showed a linear relationship between GNRI and in-hospital mortality, with the risk of in-hospital mortality significantly decreasing as GNRI increased (non-linear p = 0.596). Furthermore, in the subgroups of hypertension, ventricular arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, shock, and chronic kidney disease, there was a significant interaction between nutritional status and in-hospital mortality.

Conclusion

Among CICU patients, a low GNRI was a significant predictor of in-hospital mortality. Furthermore, patients with a higher risk of malnutrition, as indicated by low GNRI values, experienced significantly longer hospital and CICU stays.

Prognostic values of geriatric nutrition risk index on elderly patients after spinal tuberculosis surgery

Background

Spinal tuberculosis (STB) is a significant public health concern, especially in elderly patients, due to its chronic and debilitating nature. Nutritional status is a critical factor affecting the prognosis of STB patients. The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) has been established as a reliable predictor of adverse outcomes in various diseases, but its correlation with surgical outcomes in elderly STB patients has not been studied.

Objective

The study aimed to assess the prognostic value of the GNRI in elderly patients with STB who underwent surgery.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of medical records of elderly patients (65 years or older) diagnosed with active STB who underwent surgical treatment. Data collection included patient demographics, comorbidities, clinical history, laboratory testing, and surgical factors. GNRI was calculated using serum albumin levels and body weight. Postoperative complications were observed and recorded. The patients were followed up for at least 1 year, and their clinical cure status was assessed based on predefined criteria.

Results

A total of 91 patients were included in the study. We found that a GNRI value of <98.63 g/dL was a cutoff value for predicting unfavorable clinical prognosis in elderly STB patients undergoing surgery. Patients with a low GNRI had higher Charlson Comorbidity Index scores, were more likely to receive red blood cell transfusions, and had a higher prevalence of overall complications, particularly pneumonia. The unfavorable clinical prognosis group had lower GNRI scores compared to the favorable prognosis group. Multivariate analysis showed that lower GNRI independently predicted unfavorable clinical outcomes in elderly STB patients.

Conclusion

The study concluded that the GNRI is a valuable biomarker for predicting prognosis in elderly STB patients undergoing surgical intervention. Patients with lower GNRI scores had worse outcomes and a higher incidence of complications.

Longitudinal relationship between muscle mass and intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps in older inpatients at different activities of daily living levels

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Whether there is a longitudinal relationship between muscle mass and intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps at different activities of daily living (ADL) levels remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the longitudinal relationship between muscle mass and intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps in older inpatients at different ADL levels.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study was hospital-based and included 198 inpatients aged ≥65 years. Ultrasound images were acquired using B-mode ultrasound imaging. Muscle mass and intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps were assessed based on muscle thickness and echo intensity, respectively. The changes in quadriceps thickness and echo intensity were calculated by subtracting these baseline values from these values at discharge. ADL were assessed at admission using the Barthel Index (BI). The participants were divided into the low BI (BI score <60) and high BI (BI score ≥60) groups in accordance with the BI score. Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine whether the change in quadriceps echo intensity was independently and significantly related to change in quadriceps thickness, even after adjusting for confounding factors in the total participants and high and low BI groups.

RESULTS

The number of the high and low BI groups were 54 and 144. Change in quadriceps echo intensity was independently and significantly related to changes in quadriceps thickness of the total participants (β = -0.53, p < 0.01) and low BI (β = - 0.51, p < 0.01) and high BI (β = -0.70, p < 0.01) groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study indicate that there is a longitudinal negative relationship between muscle mass and intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps in older inpatients regardless of ADL level. Intramuscular adipose tissue may be an important contributing factor for muscle mass.

A nutritional assessment tool, GNRI, predicts sarcopenia and its components in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A Japanese cross-sectional study

Background

There are few reports evaluating the relationship between undernutrition and the risk of sarcopenia in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.

Objective

We investigated whether undernutritional status assessed by the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) and controlling nutritional status (CONUT) were associated with the diagnosis of sarcopenia.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study of Japanese individuals with T2DM. Univariate or multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association of albumin, GNRI, and CONUT with the diagnosis of sarcopenia. The optimal cut-off values were determined by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to diagnose sarcopenia.

Results

In 479 individuals with T2DM, the median age was 71 years [IQR 62, 77], including 264 (55.1%) men. The median duration of diabetes was 17 [11, 23] years. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 41 (8.6%) in all, 21/264 (8.0%) in men, and 20/215 (9.3%) in women. AUCs were ordered from largest to smallest as follows: GNRI > albumin > CONUT. The cut-off values of GNRI were associated with a diagnosis of sarcopenia in multiple logistic regression analysis (odds ratio 9.91, 95% confidential interval 5.72-17.2), P < 0.001. The superiority of GNRI as compared to albumin and CONUT for detecting sarcopenia was also observed in the subclasses of men, women, body mass index (BMI) < 22, and BMI ≥ 22.

Conclusions

Results showed that GNRI shows a superior diagnostic power in the diagnosis of sarcopenia. Additionally, its optimal cut-off points were useful overall or in the subclasses. Future large and prospective studies will be required to confirm the utility of the GNRI cut-off for undernutrition individuals at risk for sarcopenia.

Association of geriatric nutritional risk index with all-cause hospital mortality among elderly patients in intensive care unit

Background

Malnutrition is associated with poor outcomes for geriatric patients in intensive care unit (ICU). It is important to identify patients at risk of malnutrition and provide individual nutrition support. The assessment of malnutrition risk is not easy for these patients due to their cognitive impairment. Geriatric nutrition risk index (GNRI) is a simple and objective scoring tool to evaluate the risk of malnutrition in elderly patients. In this study, we aimed to see whether GNRI score was appropriate to predict clinical outcomes among geriatric patients in the setting of ICU.

Materials and methods

Elderly patients with age ≥ 65 years were extracted from Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database. Categories based on GNRI were classified as major risk (GNRI <82), moderate risk (GNRI 82 to <92), low risk (GNRI 92 to ≤98), and no risk (GNRI >98). The primary outcome was all-cause hospital mortality. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models and restricted cubic spline were used to investigate associations of GNRI with hospital mortality, respectively. A two-piecewise linear regression model was applied to examine the inflection point of GNRI on hospital mortality. To reduce selection bias, propensity score matching (PSM) was used in a 1:1 ratio.

Results

A total of 3,696 geriatric patients were finally included with median age 75 (69, 81) years. The prevalence of major risk was 28.6%. In the fully adjusted model, GNRI categories featured a negative trend with hospital mortality (p for trend = 0.037). Restricted cubic spline analysis demonstrated an L-shaped relationship between GNRI and hospital mortality before and after matching. The inflection point was 78.7. At the left side of inflection point, GNRI levels were significantly negatively associated with hospital mortality (HR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.94-0.98; p < 0.001) and featured no significant relations at the right side. Multiple linear regression also showed that GNRI was negatively associated with length of stay in hospital.

Conclusion

The major risk of malnutrition defined by GNRI was able to predict poor prognosis for geriatric patients admitted to ICU.

Transitional Dynamics of Sarcopenia and Associations of Nutritional Indices with State Transitions in Chinese aged ≥ 50

OBJECTIVES

Sarcopenia's temporal profile can be regarded as a dynamic process with distinct states, in which malnutrition plays an important role. This study aimed to address two research gaps: sarcopenia's transitional dynamics and associations of nutritional indices with state transitions in community-dwelling Chinese adults aged 50 and older.

DESIGN

A prospective population-based cohort study.

SETTING

Community-based setting in western China.

PARTICIPANTS

The analytic sample included data from 1910 participants aged ≥ 50 in the West China Health and Aging Trend study between 2018-2022.

MEASUREMENTS

We defined three states: the initial normal state (normal muscle strength, physical performance and muscle mass), the worst sarcopenia state (low muscle mass plus low muscle strength and/or low physical performance) and the intermediate subclinical state (the other scenarios). The relevant measurement methods and cut-off points were based on the 2019 AWGS consensus. Using a continuous-time multistate Markov model, we calculated probabilities of transitions between different states over 1, 2 and 4 years; we also examined associations between nutritional indices and transitions, including body mass index (BMI), calf circumference (CC), mid-arm circumference (MAC), triceps skinfold thickness (TST), albumin (ALB), geriatric nutrition risk index (GNRI), vitamin D (VitD) and prealbumin (PA).

RESULTS

For individuals in the normal state, their probabilities of remaining stable versus progressing to a subclinical state were 53.4% versus 42.1% at 2 years, and 40.6% versus 49.0% at 4 years. In the subclinical population, their 2- and 4-year chances were 60.2% and 51.2% for maintaining this state, 11.8% and 16.2% for developing sarcopenia, 28.0% and 32.6% for reverting to normal. For sarcopenic individuals, the likelihood of staying stable versus retrogressing to the subclinical state were 67.0% versus 26.3% at 2 years, and 48.3% versus 36.3% at 4 years. Increased BMI, CC, MAC, TST, ALB, GNRI and PA correlated with reversion from the subclinical state, among which increased TST, ALB and PA were also paralleled with reversion from sarcopenia, while decreased BMI, CC, MAC, TST and GNRI were associated with progression to sarcopenia. VitD was not significantly associated with any transitions.

CONCLUSION

This study reveals how sarcopenia changes over time in a Chinese population. It also highlights the usefulness of simple and cost-effective nutritional status indices for indicating state transitions, which can help identify individuals at risk of sarcopenia and guide targeted interventions within the optimal time window.

Higher malnutrition risk in older inpatients who are referred to the department of rehabilitation is related to increase of intramuscular adipose tissue: A prospective study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

A recent cross-sectional study reported that a higher intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps is related to higher malnutrition risk in older inpatients. However, a longitudinal relationship between them in older inpatients remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the relationship between the malnutrition risk at hospital admission and change in quadriceps intramuscular adipose tissue induced during the hospital stay in older inpatients.

METHODS

The inclusion criteria in this longitudinal study were older patients (aged ≥65 years) who were referred to the department of rehabilitation. Patients who died during a hospital stay, who underwent thigh amputation, and who had a hospital stay of <3 days or a lack of data were excluded from the study. Malnutrition risk at post-acute hospital admission was assessed using Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI). Intramuscular adipose tissue and muscle mass of the quadriceps were assessed at hospital admission and discharge using echo intensity and muscle thickness on ultrasound images. The changes in quadriceps echo intensity and thickness were calculated by subtracting these baseline values from these values at discharge. Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine whether GNRI at admission is independently and significantly related to the quadriceps echo intensity and thickness at discharge and changes in quadriceps echo intensity and thickness. The independent variables were GNRI, age, sex, days from onset disease, disease, quadriceps echo intensity or thickness at admission, and change in quadriceps thickness.

RESULTS

This study included 200 inpatients (median [interquartile range] age: 83.0 [77.0-88.0], 57.0% female). GNRI at admission was significantly and independently related to quadriceps echo intensity at discharge (β = -0.136, p = 0.008) and change in quadriceps echo intensity (β = -0.177, p = 0.008). In contrast, GNRI was not significantly and independently related to quadriceps thickness at discharge (β = 0.087, p = 0.158) and change in quadriceps thickness (β = 0.133, p = 0.158).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that a higher malnutrition risk at post-acute hospital admission in older inpatients is related to an increase of intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps during the hospital stay. Malnutrition risk at hospital admission in older inpatients is considered to be a predictor for an increase of intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps during a hospital stay.

Associations of geriatric nutrition risk index and other nutritional risk-related indexes with sarcopenia presence and their value in sarcopenia diagnosis

Objective

Standard modalities recommended for sarcopenia diagnosis may be unavailable in primary care settings. We aimed to comprehensively evaluate and compare associations of some better popularized nutritional risk-related indexes with sarcopenia presence and their value in sarcopenia diagnosis in community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly adults, including geriatric nutrition risk index (GNRI), albumin (ALB), calf circumference (CC), mid-arm circumference (MAC), triceps skinfold thickness (TST) and body mass index (BMI).

Methods

Based on the West China Health and Aging Trend study, the current study included participants aged 50 or older who were recruited in 2018. Sarcopenia-related assessment and diagnosis were in line with Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019. For each single index, we assessed its association with sarcopenia presence by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis; we also computed diagnostic measures including the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and sensitivity, specificity, accuracy at the optimal cut-off value determined according to Youden’s index.

Results

A total of 3829 subjects were included, consisting of 516 and 3313 subjects in the sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups, respectively. Regarding the risk for sarcopenia presence, the fully adjusted odds ratios of GNRI, ALB, CC, MAC, TST and BMI per standard deviation decrease were 2.95 (95% CI 2.51–3.47, P < 0.001), 1.01 (95% CI 0.90–1.15, P = 0.816), 4.56 (95% CI 3.82–5.44, P < 0.001), 4.24 (95% CI 3.56–5.05, P < 0.001), 1.67 (95% CI 1.92–1.45, P < 0.001) and 4.09 (95% CI 3.41–4.91, P < 0.001), respectively. Regarding the value in sarcopenia diagnosis in the entire study population, their AUCs could be ordered as MAC (0.85, 95% CI 0.83–0.86) > GNRI (0.80, 95% CI 0.78–0.82), CC (0.83, 95% CI 0.81–0.85), BMI (0.81, 95% CI 0.79–0.83) > TST (0.72, 95% CI 0.70–0.74) > ALB (0.62, 95% CI 0.60–0.65). At the relevant optimal cut-off values, the sensitivity was the highest for CC (0.83, 95% CI 0.80–0.87) and MAC (0.80, 95% CI 0.77–0.84), while GNRI showed the highest specificity (0.79, 95% CI 0.78–0.81) and accuracy (0.78, 95% 0.76–0.79).

Conclusion

Overall diagnostic performance was the best for MAC, followed by GNRI, CC, BMI, and the worst for TST, ALB in distinguishing sarcopenia from non-sarcopenia in middle-aged and elderly adults in community-based settings. CC or MAC might do better in reducing missed diagnosis, while GNRI was superior in reducing misdiagnosis.

Higher Body Mass Index in Hospitalized Older Patients Is Related to Higher Muscle Quality

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to examine the relationship between muscle mass, intramuscular adipose tissue, and body mass index (BMI) in older inpatients.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Hospital-based study.

PARTICIPANTS

This study included 413 inpatients aged ≥ 65 years (186 men and 227 women).

MEASUREMENTS

Muscle mass and intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps were assessed by measuring the muscle thickness and echo intensity on ultrasound images. To examine the relationship between quadriceps thickness and echo intensity and BMI in total participants and each sex, the Kendall rank correlation coefficient was used. Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine whether BMI was independently and significantly related to the quadriceps thickness and echo intensity, even after adjusting for other variables for total participants and each sex. The independent variables in multiple regression analyses were BMI, age, disease, days from onset disease.

RESULTS

The results of the correlation analyses showed that BMI was significantly related to the quadriceps thickness (total participants, τ = 0.431; men, τ = 0.491; women, τ = 0.388) and echo intensity (total participants, τ = -0.239; men, τ = -0.318; women, τ = -0.188). In the multiple regression analysis, BMI was independently and significantly associated with the quadriceps thickness (total participants, β = 0.535; men, β = 0.548; women, β = 0.519) and echo intensity (total participants, β = -0.287; men, β = -0.398; women, β = -0.210).

CONCLUSION

This study indicated that older inpatients with a higher BMI have greater muscle mass and less intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps. These results suggested that a higher BMI in older inpatients is related to higher quadriceps muscle quality.

Association between Geriatric Nutrition Risk Index and The Presence of Sarcopenia in People with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the association between the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) and the prevalence of sarcopenia in people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Having both low handgrip strength (<28 kg for men and <18 kg for women) and low skeletal muscle mass index (<7.0 kg/m2 for men and <5.7 kg/m2 for women) was diagnosed as sarcopenia. GNRI was estimated by the formula as below: GNRI = (1.489 × serum albumin level [g/L]) + (41.7 × [current body weight (kg)/ideal body weight (kg)]). Participants were dichotomized on the basis of their GNRI scores (GNRI < 98, low; or GNRI ≥ 98, high). Among 526 people (301 men and 225 women) with T2DM, the proportions of participants with sarcopenia and low GNRI were 12.7% (n = 67/526) and 5.1% (n = 27/526), respectively. The proportion of sarcopenia in participants with low-GNRI was higher than that with high GNRI (44.4% [n = 12/27] vs. 11.0% [n = 55/499], p < 0.001). The GNRI showed positive correlations with handgrip strength (r = 0.232, p < 0.001) and skeletal muscle mass index (r = 0.514, p < 0.001). Moreover, low GNRI was related to the prevalence of sarcopenia (adjusted odds ratio, 4.88 [95% confidence interval: 1.88-12.7], p = 0.001). The GNRI, as a continuous variable, was also related to the prevalence of sarcopenia (adjusted odds ratio, 0.89 [95% confidence interval: 0.86-0.93], p < 0.001). The present study revealed that low GNRI was related to the prevalence of sarcopenia.

Geriatric nutritional risk index is a predictor of recurrent percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction

Aim To investigate the relationship between malnutrition and follow-up cardiovascular (CV) events in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).Material and methods A retrospective study was performed on 298 patients with NSTEMI. The baseline geriatric nutritionalrisk index (GNRI) was calculated at the first visit. The patients were divided into three groups accordingto the GNRI: >98, no-risk; 92 to ≤98, low risk; 82 to <92, moderate to high (MTH) risk. The studyendpoint was a composite of follow-up CV events, including all-cause mortality, non-valvular atrialfibrillation (NVAF), hospitalizations, and need for repeat percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Results Follow-up data showed that MTH risk group had significantly higher incidence of repeat PCI and all-cause mortality compared to other groups (p<0.001). However, follow-up hospitalizations and NVAFwere similar between groups (p>0.05). The mean GNRI was 84.6 in patients needing repeat PCI and99.8 in patients who did not require repeat PCI (p<0.001). Kaplan Meier survival analysis showed thatpatients with MTH risk had significantly poorer survival (p<0.001). According to multivariate Coxregression analysis, theMTH risk group (hazard ratio=5.372) was associated with increased mortality.Conclusion GNRI value may have a potential role for the prediction of repeat PCI in patients with NSTEMI.

Lower Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) Is Associated with Higher Risk of Fractures in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

BACKGROUND

Although malnutrition and bone fracture are both major complications in patients undergoing hemodialysis, their association has not been clarified. The aim of our study was to clarify the association between the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), an indicator of nutritional status, and the incidence of bone fractures in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

METHODS

We included 1342 registered patients undergoing hemodialysis and performed a post hoc analysis. We divided patients into the high GNRI group (≥92), considered to have a low risk of malnutrition, and the low GNRI group (<92), considered to have a high risk of malnutrition. Fracture-free survival in the low and high GNRI groups was evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify the risk factors for fractures requiring hospitalization. All results were stratified by sex.

RESULTS

New bone fractures developed in 108 (8.0%) patients in 5 years of follow-up. Bone fractures occurred more frequently in the low GNRI group compared with the high GNRI group (HR: 3.51, 95% CI: 1.91-6.42, p < 0.01 in males; HR: 2.47, 95% CI: 1.52-4.03, p < 0.01 in females). A low GNRI was significantly associated with an increased incidence of bone fractures, even after adjustment for covariates. However, the serum levels of calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone, and alkaline phosphatase were not associated with the incidence of bone fractures.

CONCLUSIONS

A low GNRI is an independent risk factor for bone fractures in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Early intervention for the low GNRI group may be important in preventing the occurrence of fractures.

The prognostic value of geriatric nutritional risk index in elderly patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia: A retrospective study

The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is associated with the prognosis of many diseases. However, the association between the GNRI and the prognosis of patients aged ≥65 years with severe community-acquired pneumonia (SCAP) has not been studied. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of GNRI in elderly SCAP patients.This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 346 patients aged ≥65 years with SCAP from December 2013 to September 2019. Patients were divided into 4 groups by the GNRI. The chi-square test or student's t test was used to compare the differences between the groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the factors that affect prognosis. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to compare the prognostic performance of the GNRI with other indicators. A GNRI-based nomogram was established based on the result of the multivariate analysis.Two hundred nine (60.4%) patients had a poor prognosis. GNRI scores were significantly lower in the poor prognosis group than in the group with a good prognosis. In the multivariate analysis, gender, mean arterial pressure, neutrophil counts, and the GNRI were independently correlated with the prognosis of elderly patients. The GNRI was a significantly better predictor for poor prognosis than other indicators. The GNRI-based nomogram had excellent prediction capabilities.GNRI is a simple and effective prognostic indicator for elderly patients with SCAP, and a GNRI-based nomogram can aid in developing individualized treatment plans for elderly patients with SCAP.

The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index is a powerful predictor of adverse outcome in the elderly emergency surgery patient

BACKGROUND

The degree to which malnutrition impacts perioperative outcomes in the elderly emergency surgery (ES) patient remains unknown. We aimed to study the relationship between malnutrition, as measured by the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), and postoperative outcomes in elderly patients undergoing ES.

METHODS

Using the 2007 to 2016 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, all patients 65 years or older undergoing ES were included in our study. The GNRI, defined as (1.489 × albumin [g/L]) + (41.7 × [weight/ideal weight]) was calculated for each patient in the database. Patients with missing height, weight, or preoperative albumin data were excluded. Patients were divided into four malnutrition groups: very severe (GNRI < 73), severe (GNRI, 73-82), moderate (GNRI, 82-92), and mild (GNRI, 92-98). Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index greater than 98 constituted the normal nutrition group. Risk-adjusted multivariable logistic regressions were performed to study the relationship between malnutrition-measured using either GNRI, albumin level, or body mass index less than 18.5 kg/m-and the following postoperative outcomes: 30-day mortality, 30-day morbidity (including infectious and noninfectious complications), and hospital length of stay. The relationship between GNRI score and 30-day mortality for six common ES procedures was then assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 82,725 patients were included in the final analyses. Of these, 55,214 were malnourished with GNRI less than 98 (66.74%). Risk-adjusted multivariable analyses showed that, as malnutrition worsened from mild to very severe, the risk of mortality, morbidity, and the hospital length of stay progressively increased (all p < 0.05). Patients with very severe malnutrition had at least a twofold increased likelihood of mortality (odds ratio [OR], 2.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.57-3.03), deep vein thrombosis (OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.77-2.42), and respiratory failure (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.81-2.11). Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index predicted mortality better than albumin or body mass index alone for ES.

CONCLUSION

Malnutrition, measured using GNRI, is a strong independent predictor of adverse outcomes in the elderly ES patient and could be used to assess the nutrition status and counsel patients (and families) preoperatively.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic study, Level IV.

Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index can predict postoperative delirium and hospital length of stay in elderly patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery

AIM

Malnutrition is common in older patients and is associated with adverse outcomes. The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) has been developed as an objective index to assess nutritional risk in these patients. However, there is limited evidence regarding the association between GNRI and postoperative delirium (POD) as well as length of stay (LOS) in surgical older patients. Therefore, our goal was to examine the impact of poor nutrition, evaluated by the GNRI, on POD and length of stay in older patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery.

METHODS

In this prospective cohort study, older patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery from April to June of 2015 were included. Preoperative nutritional status was assessed by the GNRI within the first 48 h after hospital admission. The outcomes were POD and LOS. Multivariable logistic regression and linear regression analyses were used to assess the role of GNRI in predicting these outcomes.

RESULTS

In the whole sample (N = 288), the prevalence of severe/moderate (GNRI <92) and low (GNRI 92-98) nutritional risk was 15.6% and 29.5%, respectively. The median length of hospital stay was 14 days. Delirium was present in 49 patients (17%). A linear regression analysis showed that low (β = 4.56, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.18-6.94) and severe/moderate (β = 3.70, 95% CI: 0.74-6.65) nutritional risk were associated with prolonged LOS. Moreover, a multivariate analysis revealed that patients with severe/moderate nutritional risk were more likely to develop POD compared with those without (odds ratio = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.11-5.89).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative malnutrition, as assessed using the GNRI, predicted LOS and the development of POD in elderly non-cardiac surgical patients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 759-764.

Edentulism and all-cause mortality among Brazilian older adults: 11-years follow-up

We assessed the association between edentulism and all-cause mortality among community-dwelling older adults from São Paulo, Brazil, from 2006 to 2017. This prospective cohort study used data from the Health, Well-being and Aging Study (SABE, Portuguese acronym). Edentulism was evaluated by means of clinical oral examination and all-cause mortality data were obtained from state official records. Covariates included socioeconomic factors (age, sex, and schooling); health behavior (smoking, alcohol intake, and physical activity); dental care (prostheses use); general health (multimorbidity); and nutritional status (underweight). Kaplan-Meier survival curves were stratified by edentulism and compared using the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards model was applied to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) for the association between edentulism and mortality after adjusting for covariates. The study sample included 1,687 participants (age, 60-102 years; edentulous: 47.2%). In the 11 years of follow-up, we analyzed 10,494 person-years and 566 deaths. In bivariate analysis, edentulous older adults were found to be at a higher risk of dying from all causes than the dentate participants (HR: 1.81; 95%CI: 1.53-2.15). After sequential adjustment for socioeconomic factors, health behavior, dental care, general health, and nutritional status, this association was attenuated, but remained significant (HR: 1.34; 95%CI: 1.10-1.63). In conclusion, edentulism is a significant predictor of all-cause mortality among older adults.

The geriatric nutrition risk index versus the mini-nutritional assessment short form in predicting postoperative delirium and hospital length of stay among older non-cardiac surgical patients: a prospective cohort study

Backgrounds

Malnutrition has been shown to be associated with poor prognosis in older surgical patients. Several tools are available for detecting malnutrition. But little is known about their ability to assess risks of postoperative adverse outcomes. The study aimed to compare the ability of the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) and the Mini-Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF) in predicting postoperative delirium (POD) and length of stay (LOS) among older non-cardiac surgical patients.

Methods

Prospective study of 288 older non-cardiac surgical patients from the West China Hospital of Sichuan University. Preoperative nutritional status was assessed using the GNRI and MNA-SF, and patients were followed for the occurrence of POD and LOS. Multivariable logistic regression and linear regression analyses were used to identify predictors of these outcomes. The relative performance of the GNRI and MNA-SF as predictors of these outcomes were determined by Receiver Operating Characteristic curves (ROC) analyses and the area under the curve (AUC).

Results

Multivariable analysis revealed that preoperative malnutrition by the MNA-SF was significantly associated with POD. Linear regression analysis showed that preoperative low/high nutritional risk of the GNRI and malnutrition by the MNA-SF were independent predictors of prolonged LOS. Moreover, the area under the curve (AUC) of MNA-SF scores for POD was better than GNRI scores (AUC = 0.718, 95%CI: 0.64–0.80, P < 0.001 vs AUC = 0.606, 95%CI: 0.52–0.69, P = 0.019; Delong’s test, P = 0.006), but the AUC of GNRI scores and MNA-SF scores have no significant difference when predicting prolonged LOS (AUC = 0.611, 95%CI: 0.54–0.69, P = 0.006 vs AUC = 0.533, 95%CI: 0.45–0.62, P = 0.421; Delong’s test, P = 0.079).

Conclusion

The MNA-SF was more effective than the GNRI at predicting the development of POD, but the two nutrition screening methods have similar performance in predicting prolonged LOS among older non-cardiac surgical patients.

Geriatric nutritional risk index predicts all-cause deaths in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

AIMS

The objective of the study was to evaluate whether the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) at discharge may be helpful in predicting the long-term prognosis of patients hospitalized with heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF, left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50%), a common HF phenotype in the elderly.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Overall, 110 elderly HFpEF patients (≥65 years) from the Ibaraki Cardiovascular Assessment Study-HF (n = 838) were enrolled. The mean age was 78.5 ± 7.2 years, and male patients accounted for 53.6% (n = 59). All-cause mortality was compared between the low GNRI (<92) with moderate or severe nutritional risk group and the high GNRI (≥92) with no or low nutritional risk group. Cox proportional hazard regression models were constructed to evaluate the influence of the GNRI on all-cause death with the following covariates using forward stepwise selection: age, sex, nutritional status based on the GNRI as a categorical variable, history of HF hospitalization, haemoglobin level, estimated glomerular filtration rate, log brain natriuretic peptide levels (logBNP), history of hypertension, log C-reactive protein levels, left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular mass index, and the New York Heart Association functional classification (I/II or III class). The prognostic value of the GNRI was compared with that of serum albumin using C-statistics. The GNRI was added to the logBNP, serum albumin or the body mass index was added to the logBNP, and the C-statistic was compared using DeLong's test. Cox regression analysis revealed that age and a low GNRI were independent predictors of all-cause death (P < 0.05, n = 103; hazard ratio = 1.095, 95% confidence interval = 1.031-1.163, for age, and hazard ratio = 3.075, 95% confidence interval = 1.244-7.600, for the GNRI). DeLong's test for the two correlated receiver operating characteristic curves [area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of serum albumin, 0.71; AUROC of the GNRI, 0.75] demonstrated significant differences between the groups (P = 0.038). Adding the GNRI to the logBNP increased the AUROC for all-cause death significantly (0.71 and 0.80, respectively; P = 0.040, n = 105). The addition of serum albumin or the body mass index to the logBNP did not significantly increase the AUROC for all-cause death (P = 0.082 and P = 0.29, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Nutritional screening using the GNRI at discharge is helpful to predict the long-term prognosis of elderly HFpEF patients.

Malnutrition Screening and Assessment in Hospitalised Older People: a Review

Malnutrition (undernutrition) remains one of the most serious health problems for older people worldwide. Many factors contribute to malnutrition in older people, including: loss of appetite, polypharmacy, dementia, frailty, poor dentition, swallowing difficulties, social isolation, and poverty. Malnutrition is common in the hospital setting, yet often remains undetected by medical staff. The objective of this review is to compare the validity and reliability of Nutritional Screening Tools (NSTs) for older adults in the hospital setting. We also provide an overview of the various nutritional screening and assessment tools used to identify malnutrition in hospitalised older adults. These include: Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), MNA-short form (MNA-SF), Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST), Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ), Geriatric Nutrition Risk Index (GNRI) and anthropometric measurements. The prevalence and outcomes of malnutrition in hospitalised older adults are also addressed.

Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index for independent walking function in maintenance hemodialysis patients: A single-facility retrospective cohort study

AIM

The target Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) for patients on chronic maintenance hemodialysis is unclear. We aimed to determine the relationship between the GNRI and independent walking ability in such patients.

METHODS

In the present retrospective cohort study, 90 patients receiving chronic maintenance hemodialysis were included. Logistic regression analyses were carried out to evaluate the relationship between the GNRI and independent walking ability. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was carried out to determine the cut-off GNRI for predicting independent walking ability.

RESULTS

Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed significant differences in age (odds ratio [OR] 0.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.6-0.9), creatinine generation rate percentage (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0-1.2), GNRI (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.8; P < 0.01) and urea removal rate (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.9; P < 0.05). The cut-off GNRI for independent walking ability was 86.7 (area under the curve 0.80, sensitivity 92.1%, specificity 66.7%, positive hit ratio 86.6%, negative hit ratio 78.3%). The factors correlated with survival in the univariate analysis were the GNRI, equilibrated Kt/V, urea removal rate, clear space rate, salt intake amount (P < 0.01), number of days of hospitalization and %creatinine generation rate (P < 0.05). The Cox proportional hazard regression model showed an OR of 0.77 (95% CI 0.32-1.8) at a GNRI <86/GNRI ≥86. In the multivariate survival analysis, we observed no significant differences in any of the factors.

CONCLUSIONS

GNRI was correlated with walking ability, which indicated that GNRI might predict future walking ability; also, a GNRI of 87 might be the target for maintaining walking ability. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 1556-1561.

Association of geriatric nutritional risk index with infection-related mortality in patients undergoing hemodialysis: The Q-Cohort Study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is a simple but useful nutritional marker for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). However, whether the GNRI can predict infection-related mortality in patients undergoing HD remains unclear, and there is insufficient evidence regarding whether the GNRI improves the predictive value for risk assessment beyond the existing conventional nutritional markers. Here, we investigated the association between the GNRI and infection-related mortality in patients undergoing HD and evaluated the predictive value of GNRI.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was performed on a total of 3436 Japanese HD patients aged ≥18 years. Patients were divided into four groups by quartiles of GNRI: (Quartile 1 [Q1], >100.2; Q2, 95.9-100.2; Q3, 90.8-95.8; Q4, <90.8). We estimated the relationship between GNRI and all-cause mortality and infection-related mortality using a Cox proportional hazards model. To assess the additional predictive value of the GNRI in risk assessment, we compared the c-statistic, net reclassification improvement, and integrated discrimination improvement among serum albumin, serum creatinine, and the GNRI.

RESULTS

During follow-up period (median, 4.0 years), a total of 564 patients died; 120 of these patients died of infectious disease. All-cause mortality and infection-related mortality increased linearly with lower GNRI levels. After adjusting for confounding risk factors, the GNRI was an independent predictor of infection-related mortality as well as all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 5.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.85-13.8; P < 0.001 for Q4 vs. Q1, HR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.23-6.24; P = 0.01 for Q3 vs. Q1). Additionally, when the GNRI was incorporated into a model with potential risk factors instead of serum albumin, the c-statistic increased significantly (0.811 vs. 0.821, P = 0.03), and the net reclassification improvement and integrated discrimination improvement was 0.26 (P = 0.005) and 0.005 (P = 0.01). This association was more apparent in the older patients (0.739 vs. 0.760, P = 0.02) than in the younger patients (0.916 vs. 0.912, P = 0.35). Similar results were observed between serum creatinine and the GNRI, but the difference did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower GNRI levels are an independent risk factor for infection-related mortality in patients undergoing HD. Moreover, addition of the GNRI to models with standard risk factors significantly improves the predictive ability of infection-related mortality, especially in older patients.

Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score as a predictor of all-cause mortality in elderly hypertensive patients: a prospective follow-up study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to elucidate the impact of nutritional status on survival per Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score and Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) in patients with hypertension over 80 years of age.

DESIGN

Prospective follow-up study.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 336 hypertensive patients over 80 years old were included in this study.

OUTCOME MEASURES

All-cause deaths were recorded as Kaplan-Meier curves to evaluate the association between CONUT and all-cause mortality at follow-up. Cox regression models were used to investigate the prognostic value of CONUT and GNRI for all-cause mortality in the 90-day period after admission.

RESULTS

Hypertensive patients with higher CONUT scores exhibited higher mortality within 90 days after admission (1.49%, 6.74%, 15.38%, respectively, χ²=30.92, p=0.000). Surviving patients had higher body mass index (24.25±3.05 vs 24.25±3.05, p=0.012), haemoglobin (123.78±17.05 vs 115.07±20.42, p=0.040) and albumin levels, as well as lower fasting blood glucose (6.90±2.48 vs 8.24±3.51, p=0.010). Higher GRNI score (99.42±6.55 vs 95.69±7.77, p=0.002) and lower CONUT (3.13±1.98 vs 5.14±2.32) both indicated better nutritional status. Kaplan-Meier curves indicated that survival rates were significantly worse in the high-CONUT group compared with the low-CONUT group (χ¹ =13.372, p=0.001). Cox regression indicated an increase in HR with increasing CONUT risk (from normal to moderate to severe). HRs (95% CI) for 3-month mortality was 1.458 (95% CI 1.102 to 1.911). In both respiratory tract infection and 'other reason' groups, only CONUT was a sufficiently predictor for all-cause mortality (HR=1.284, 95% CI 1.013 to 1.740, p=0.020 and HR=1.841, 95% CI 1.117 to 4.518, p=0.011). Receiver operating characteristic showed that CONUT higher than 3.0 was found to predict all-cause mortality with a sensitivity of 77.8% and a specificity of 64.7% (area under the curve=0.778, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Nutritional status assessed via CONUT is an accurate predictor of all-cause mortality 90 days postadmission. Evaluation of nutritional status may provide additional prognostic information in hypertensive patients.

Length of hospitalization is associated with selected biomarkers (albumin and lymphocytes) and with co-morbidities: study on 4000 patients

BACKGROUND

Low albumin levels and low lymphocyte counts are intra hospital conditions that exert a negative influence on prognosis, healing and length of hospitalization. The study aimed to analyze the correlation between low blood levels of albumin, low lymphocytes, and length of stay. The secondary aim was to identify other co-morbidities associated with prolonged hospital stay.

METHODS

Retrospective pilot study was conducted by analyzing anamnestic and biochemical data, related to 4038 patients admitted to ten wards of Hospital San Paolo (Milan), collected from July 1st 2012 to December 31st 2012. A statistical analysis was carried out using the Correlation method, Multivariate Analysis and Regression. Lymphocyte count and co-morbidities were evaluated in the whole cohort, albumin levels in 1437 patients.

RESULTS

In the whole sample, low albumin levels and low lymphocyte counts were directly correlated to longer hospitalizations. The stratification of the results by department and diagnosis suggests that there is a higher correlation in certain subpopulations, and albumin shows a greater correlation with length of stay than lymphocytes. Also advanced age, high platelets, type of diagnosis, male gender and emergency admission led to longer hospitalizations.

CONCLUSIONS

A routine check of albumin, lymphocytes and a spectrum of significant variables can provide precious information which can eventually lead to a shorter hospital stay. Knowledge of the general health status of a patient and the possibility to estimate his/her length of hospital stay are essential information for Clinical Governance, and for the improvement of internal services of hospitals on a large scale.

The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index Independently Predicts Mortality in Diabetic Foot Ulcers Patients Undergoing Amputations

Objective. Patients with diabetic foot ulcers undergoing amputations have poor prognosis. Malnutrition usually occurs in this population and is associated with increased risk of mortality. The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is a widely used, simple, and well-established tool to assess nutritional risk. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between GNRI and all-cause mortality in diabetic foot ulcers patients undergoing minor or major amputations. Methods. This was a retrospective cohort study including 271 adult patients. Patients were divided into two groups according to a GNRI cutoff value of 92, and characteristics and mortality were compared between the two groups. Cox proportional hazard analysis was performed to explore the association between GNRI and mortality. Result. GNRI (p < 0.001), age (p < 0.001), and eGFR (p = 0.002) were independent predictors of mortality. Among a subgroup of 230 patients with minor amputation, increased age (p < 0.001), coronary artery disease (p = 0.030), and increased GNRI (p < 0.001) were major risk factors. Conclusion. GNRI on admission might be a novel clinical predictor for the incidence of death in patients with diabetic foot ulcers who were undergoing amputations.