Geriatric nutritional risk index is associated with mortality in peritoneal dialysis patients

Association of geriatric nutritional risk index with renal prognosis and all-cause mortality among older patients with chronic kidney disease: a secondary analysis of CKD-ROUTE study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to assess the association between the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) and incidence of CKD progression, all-cause mortality, and cardiovascular events in the elderly patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) before dialysis initiation.

METHODS

We performed a post hoc analysis of the CKD-ROUTE database, which included 538 pre-dialysis CKD patients aged ≥65 years in this prospective cohort study. Associations between GNRI and clinical outcomes were estimated using Cox proportional hazards model analysis. Multivariable linear mixed regression models with random intercepts were used to assess the association between GNRI and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline per year.

RESULTS

During the median follow-up period of 2.92 years, there were 123 (22.86%) CKD progression events, 44 (8.18%) deaths, and 76 (14.13%) cardiovascular events. After adjusting for multiple confounding factors, the hazard ratios (HRs) for CKD progression in patients with GNRI <92 were 1.99 (95% CI, 1.34-2.97; p < 0.001), when compared with a GNRI of ≥92. Patients with a lower GNRI also had a significantly greater rate of eGFR decline over time than well-nourished patients (mean annual difference, -1.69; 95% CI, -2.62 to -0.77; p < 0.001). In the secondary outcomes, this association was consistent for all-cause mortality. Moreover, the associations were generally consistent across several subgroup and sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

The lower GNRI is significantly associated with higher risks of renal prognosis and all-cause mortality in elderly patients with CKD.

Association of Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index Scores with Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis

Aims/Background The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) is an effective tool for identifying malnutrition, and helps monitor the prognosis of patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. However, the association between the GNRI and cardiovascular or all-cause mortality in hemodialysis patients remains unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the correlation of the GNRI with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Methods This study included 402 incident hemodialysis patients. Based on the first-dialysis GNRI quartile, the patients were divided into four groups: N1 (GNRI ≤85.04), N2 (GNRI 85.05-91.04), N3 (91.05-96.49), N4 (GNRI ≥96.5) groups. The risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among the different GNRI groups was compared using the Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis through log-rank tests. Furthermore, Cox regression analysis was used to assess the association between the GNRI groups and all-cause mortality. Additionally, the predictive capability of the GNRI groups on the prognosis was evaluated by employing receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results Patients in the N1 group exhibited a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality (p < 0.001) and cardiovascular mortality (p = 0.004) compared to the other groups. ROC curve analysis revealed that GNRI, age, and serum creatinine had moderate predictive value for mortality, with GNRI indicating an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.605 for all-cause mortality and 0.565 for cardiovascular mortality. Moreover, the N2 and N3 groups had a significantly reduced risk of cardiovascular mortality compared to the N1 group. Conclusion A lower GNRI is closely associated with a higher risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis patients.

Association between the geriatric nutritional risk index and clinical outcomes among peritoneal dialysis patients: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

To identify the relationship between the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) and clinical outcomes in patients receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD).

METHODS

The PubMed, EBASE, Web of Science and CNKI databases were searched for available studies up to December 25, 2023. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, and the secondary outcomes included the incidence of PD dropout, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), technique failure and peritonitis. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were combined to evaluate the predictive value of the GNRI for the occurrence of the above endpoints.

RESULTS

Ten cohort studies with 3897 patients were included. The pooled results demonstrated that a lower GNRI was significantly associated with a greater incidence of all-cause mortality (HR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.55-0.91; P = .007). In addition, a decreased GNRI predicted the occurrence of dropout from PD (HR = 0.971, 95% CI: 0.945-0.998, P = .034) and MACCE (HR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98, P = .001). However, no significant associations of the GNRI with technique failure (P = .167) or peritonitis (P = .96) were observed.

CONCLUSION

A low GNRI is significantly associated with poor clinical outcomes and might serve as a novel and valuable prognostic indicator among PD patients.

The Association of Malnutrition With Chronic Kidney Disease in the Older Chinese Population With Hypertension: Evidence From the China H-type Hypertension Registry Study

OBJECTIVE

Current evidence of the dose-response association between the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) is limited. Hence, this study aimed to determine the association between GNRI and CKD in the elderly Chinese population with hypertension.

METHODS

Data were derived from the China H-type Hypertension Registry. A total of 9,897 elderly patients with hypertension were included in the cross-sectional analysis. GNRI was calculated using the serum albumin and weight loss and the specific formula was as follows: GNRI = [1.489 × serum albumin (g/L)] + [41.7 × (actual weight/ideal weight)]. The outcome of our study was CKD, which was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate value of <60 mL/minute/1.73 m2. The association between the GNRI and CKD was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

The present study population was composed of 9,897 participants with an average age of 68.67 (6.10) years. In particular, it was consisted of 4,683 (47.32%) male and 5,214 (52.68%) female participants. Overall, there was a significantly negative association between GNRI and CKD prevalence (per 1 increment; adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.95-0.97). In a fully adjusted model, compared with the participants in the highest group tertiles 3 (GNRI ≥112), the participants in group tertiles 1 (GNRI <106) and group tertiles 2 (GNRI ≥106 ≤ 112) increased the prevalence of CKD by 57% (OR 1.57, 95% CI: 1.28-1.93) and 5% (OR 1.05, 95% CI: 0.86-1.28), respectively. Moreover, similar results were observed when the GNRI was assessed as a categorical variable based on the clinical cutoff values.

CONCLUSION

This cross-sectional analysis found a significant negative association between GNRI and CKD among the elderly Chinese adults with hypertension.

Role of composite objective nutritional indexes in patients with chronic kidney disease

Malnutrition persists as one of the most severe symptoms in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) globally. It is a critical risk factor for cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in patients with CKD. Readily available objective indicators are used to calculate composite objective nutritional assessment indexes, including the geriatric nutritional risk index, prognostic nutritional index, and controlling nutritional status score. These indexes offer a straightforward and effective method for evaluating nutritional status and predicting clinical outcomes in patients with CKD. This review presents supporting evidence on the significance of composite nutritional indexes.

Impact of the geriatric nutritional risk index on long-term outcomes in patients undergoing hemodialysis: a meta-analysis of observational studies

Background

This meta-analysis aimed to synthesize current evidence on the association between the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) and long-term outcomes in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Methods

Electronic databases were systematically searched for relevant studies that investigated the association between GNRI and long-term outcomes in hemodialysis patients until November 2023. The primary outcome was the association between the GNRI (i.e., low versus high) and overall mortality risk, while the secondary outcome was the relationship between the GNRI and cardiovascular mortality risk.

Results

Thirty cohort studies involving 55,864 patients were included. A low GNRI was found to be significantly associated with increased overall mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.42, 95% confidence interval [CIs]: 2.10-2.79, p < 0.00001, I2 = 65%). Each unit increase in GNRI corresponded to a 5% reduction in mortality risk (HR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.93-0.96, p < 0.00001, I2 = 79%). The association remained consistent across Asian (HR = 2.45, 95% CI: 2.08-2.88, p < 0.00001, I2 = 70%) and non-Asian subgroups (HR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.72-3.06, p < 0.00001, I2 = 23%). Meta-regression analysis of patient age (coefficient: -0.002; p = 0.896), male proportion (coefficient: 0.002; p = 0.875), percentage of diabetes mellitus (coefficient: -0.003; p = 0.605), and follow-up duration (coefficient: -0.003; p = 0.431) revealed that these moderator variables did not significantly influence the association between GNRI and overall mortality risk. Cardiovascular mortality risk also increased with low GNRI (HR, 1.93; 95%CI: 1.51-2.45, p < 0.00001; I2 = 2%). Similarly, an inverse association was observed between the GNRI values and cardiovascular mortality risk (HR, 0.94; 95% CI: 0.91-0.97; p < 0.0001; I2 = 65%) (per unit increase).

Conclusion

The GNRI is a simple nutritional screening tool that can be used to effectively stratify patients undergoing hemodialysis globally. Further studies are warranted to determine whether nutrition optimization based on the GNRI improves long-term outcomes.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, CRD42023483729.

Progress in the study of nutritional status and selenium in dialysis patients

Malnutrition is very common in patients with chronic kidney disease, especially in those on maintenance dialysis. Malnutrition is one of the major factors affecting survival and death of dialysis patients, and reducing their activity tolerance and immunity. There are numerous and interacting risk factors for malnutrition, such as reduced nutritional intake, increased energy expenditure, hormonal disorders, and inflammation. Selenium, in the form of selenoproteins, is involved in many physiological processes in the body and plays an important role in maintaining redox homeostasis. Oxidative stress and infection are very common in dialysis patients, and selenium levels in dialysis patients are significantly lower than those in the healthy population. It has been shown that there is a correlation between selenium levels in hemodialysis patients and their nutrition-related indicators, and that selenium supplementation may improve malnutrition in patients. However, further studies are needed to support this conclusion and there is a lack of basic research to further characterize the potential mechanisms by which selenium may improve malnutrition in dialysis patients. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of factors associated with malnutrition in dialysis patients and to describe the progress of research on nutritional status and selenium levels in dialysis patients.

Combined evaluation of Geriatric nutritional risk index and Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio for predicting all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis patients

OBJECTIVE

Malnutrition, accompanied by an inflammatory profile, is a risk factor for poor prognosis in hemodialysis patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictive value of NLR combined with GNRI for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis patients.

METHODS

A total of 240 maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients in hemodialysis centers were enrolled in this retrospective study. The influencing factors of all-cause death in hemodialysis patients were analyzed by COX regression. The cut-off values of GNRI and NLR for predicting mortality in enrolled MHD patients were 89.01 and 4, respectively. Based on these cut-off values, the patients were divided into four groups: G1: high GNRI (≥ 89.01) + high NLR (≥ 4) group; G2: high GNRI (≥ 89.01) + low NLR (<4) group, G3: low GNRI (< 89.01) + high NLR (≥4) group; G4: low GNRI (< 89.01) + low NLR (<4).

RESULTS

During the follow-up period (average: 58 months), the all-cause mortality was 20.83%(50/240) and the cardiovascular mortality was 12.08%(29/240). Both NLR and GNRI were independent risk factors for the prognosis of MHD patients (P<0.05). Survival analysis showed that patients with low GNRI had a lower survival rate than those with high GNRI, whereas patients with high NLR had a lower survival rate than those with low NLR. Kaplan-Meier curve for all-cause mortality revealed that compared to G1, G2, and G4, G3 had the lowest survival rate, while G2 had the highest survival rate among all groups (P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier curve for cardiovascular mortality showed that G3 had lower survival than G1, G2, and G4 (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates that bothGNRI and NLR are associated with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in MHD patients. Combining these two factorsmay contribute to a prognostic evaluation for MHD patients.

Geriatric Nutrition Risk Index as a predictor of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in older Americans with diabetes

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Few studies have examined the relationship between malnutrition, as defined by the Geriatric Nutrition Risk Index (GNRI), and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality events, particularly in persons with diabetes. The study aimed at the association between GNRI and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in older Americans with diabetes.

METHODS

Data from this retrospective study were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination (NHANES) 1999-2016. Using data from The NHANES Public-Use Linked Mortality Files to assess all-cause mortality (ACM) and cardiovascular mortality (CVM). After excluding participants younger than 60 years and without diabetes, and with missing follow-up data, 4400 cases were left in this study. Persons with diabetes were divided by GNRI into 3 groups: GNRI ≥ 98; 92 ≤ GNRI < 98; and GNRI < 92; (No; Low; Moderate/Severe (M/S) group). We used Cox proportional hazard regression model to explore the predictive role of GNRI on ACM and CVM in elderly persons with diabetes. Restricted cubic splines to investigate the existence of a dose-response linear relationship between them.

RESULT

During a median follow-up period of 89 months, a total of 538 (12.23%) cardiovascular deaths occurred and 1890 (42.95%) all-cause deaths occurred. Multifactorial COX regression analysis showed all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.58, 95% CI: 1.672-3.994, p < 0.001) and cardiovascular mortality (HR: 2.29, 95% CI: 1.063-4.936, p = 0.034) associated with M/S group risk of malnutrition in GNRI compared to no group. A negative association between GNRI and all-cause mortality was observed across gender and ethnicity. However, the same negative association between GNRI and cardiovascular mortality was observed only for males (HR:0.94, 95% CI:0.905-0.974, p < 0.001) and other races (HR:0.92, 95% CI:0.861-0.976, p = 0.007). And there was no significant correlation between low malnutrition and cardiovascular mortality (p = 0.076). Restricted cubic splines showed a nonlinear relationship between GNRI and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality (non-linear p < 0.001, non-linear p = 0.019).

CONCLUSIONS

Lower GNRI levels are associated with mortality in older patients with diabetes. GNRI may be a predictor of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality risk in older patients with diabetes.

Inferior Nutritional Status Significantly Differentiates Dialysis Patients with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is currently the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Assessing nutritional status is an important component of care in this group. This prospective observational study aimed to assess the nutritional status of type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients on hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis and its relationship with hospitalizations and all-cause death. Adult patients with end-stage renal disease, treated with dialysis, and suffering from type 1 or type 2 diabetes, being treated with insulin, were included in the study. Exclusion criteria comprised other types of diabetes, the patient's refusal to participate in the study, and severe disorders impacting verbal-logical communication. The nutritional status based on the Nutritional Risk Index, the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index, fat distribution measures, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index was estimated for 95 Caucasian dialysis patients with type 1 (n = 25) or type 2 (n = 70) diabetes. Patients with type 1 diabetes exhibited significantly inferior nutritional status and increased nutritional risk than those with type 2 diabetes. Lower values of nutritional indices significantly differentiated patients with type 1 from those with type 2 diabetes, with ≥84% sensitivity and specificity. Inferior nutritional status was related to all-cause hospitalizations, whereas higher comorbidity was associated with a greater likelihood of cardiovascular hospitalizations and all-cause death. The significant difference between patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes being treated with dialysis indicates that these patients should not be considered as a homogeneous group, while also considering the greater age of patients with type 2 diabetes.

Exercise intolerance and malnutrition associated with all-cause mortality in elderly patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis: a single-center prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Low physical function and malnutrition in elderly patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) are important issues that may be associated with prognosis. We aimed to determine the association between physical function and nutritional status and survival in elderly patients undergoing PD.

METHODS

This single-center, prospective cohort study included 45 stable, ambulatory patients undergoing PD. Physical function was measured using the 6-min walk distance (6MWD) test, 10-m walk speed, handgrip strength, lower extremity muscle strength, and short physical performance battery. Nutritional status was assessed using albumin levels and the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI). Patients were divided into two groups according to adverse events. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to predict mortality. The relationships between all-cause mortality and physical function and nutritional status were studied using Kaplan-Meier analysis and the log-rank test.

RESULTS

The mean patient age was 75.3 ± 6.5 years. The median follow-up time was 32 (interquartile range 18-51) months, during which 11 deaths occurred. Death during follow-up was significantly associated with lower 6MWD (237.4 ± 120.2 vs. 355.2 ± 105.9 m), lower GNRI (77.3 ± 16.3 vs. 89.3 ± 8.1), and lower albumin levels (2.8 ± 0.6 vs. 3.3 ± 0.4 mg/dL) at baseline (p < 0.05). The cut-off values were 338 m, 83.3, and 2.95 g/dL for the 6MWD, GNRI, and albumin levels, respectively. The 6MWD test, GNRI, and albumin levels were significantly associated with all-cause mortality (p < 0.05). Additionally, the group with combined exercise intolerance and malnutrition had a lower survival rate (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Lower 6MWD and malnutrition are predictors of mortality in elderly patients undergoing PD.

Association of sarcopenia and its components with clinical outcomes in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis

Background: Further studies are needed to identify whether muscle mass, muscle strength, or sarcopenia is the best indicator of survival in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). We aimed to compare the association of sarcopenia and its components with survival in patients undergoing PD.Methods: We identified all patients with prevalent PD (n = 199). We routinely recommended handgrip strength (HGS) and lean mass measurements using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in all patients with PD. Sarcopenia was defined using cutoff values from the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. We evaluated the patient and technique survival rates.Results: The number of patients with low HGS was 95 (47.7%). The median follow-up interval was 17 months (interquartile range, 13–21 months). Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed that patients with low HGS or sarcopenia had poorer patient and technique survival compared with patients with normal HGS or without sarcopenia. Cox regression analysis showed that patients with low HGS had greater hazard ratios for patient death and technique failure compared with those with normal HGS. However, patients with low muscle mass did not show significant hazard ratios for patient death or technique failure compared with those with normal muscle mass. Patients with sarcopenia had significantly greater hazard ratios for patient death or technique failure than those without sarcopenia only in univariate analysis.Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that HGS may be superior to muscle mass or sarcopenia for predicting patient or technique survival in patients undergoing PD.

Relationships of low-grade systemic inflammation and nutritional status with erectile dysfunction severity in men on dialysis

BACKGROUND

Low-grade systemic inflammation and malnutrition are frequently observed in patients on dialysis and contribute to the development of endothelial dysfunction, however, the role of these conditions in erectile dysfunction (ED) severity remains to be elucidated.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the relationships of low-grade systemic inflammation and nutritional status with ED severity in men on dialysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present study included 71 men on dialysis. The Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) was used to assess ED. Men were classified as the mild/moderate (SHIM score ≥ 8) and severe ED (SHIM score ≤ 7) groups. C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR) and Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) were used to evaluate low-grade systemic inflammation and nutritional status, respectively. We performed multivariate analysis to assess the relationships of CAR and GNRI with severe ED.

RESULTS

The median age of the included men was 64 years old. All men had any degree of ED with 65% having severe ED. In the univariate analyses, a significant association was observed between elevated CAR (≥ 0.09) and severe ED (odds ratio [OR]: 4.038, P = 0.025), whereas no significant association was observed between lower GNRI (< 92) and severe ED (OR: 2.357, P = 0.109). In the multivariate analysis, an association between elevated CAR and severe ED was still significant (OR: 5.985, P = 0.010).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Low-grade systemic inflammation was significantly associated with ED severity, whereas lower GNRI was not. These results may be helpful for further research to identify the optimal treatment for men suffering from severe ED. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Predictive Value of Objective Nutritional Indexes in Technique Failure in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

OBJECTIVES

Patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) will encounter with a well-recognized challenge of technique failure (TF). We aimed to explore the predictive value of objective nutritional indexes in PD TF.

METHODS

This retrospective observational study included PD patients from August 2010 to March 2019. The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score, Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), and Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) were calculated at baseline. TF was defined as a permanent switch from PD to hemodialysis. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression was performed to investigate the association between confounding factors and outcomes. The optimal cut-off values were determined using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. We used the Kaplan-Meier curve to compare the outcomes according to the cut-off values. The area under the curve (AUC) was used to test discriminative power of these objective nutritional indexes.

RESULTS

We analyzed 276 PD patients, 84 (30.43%) experienced TF during 2.5 (1.4, 4.0) years of follow-up. In the Kaplan-Meier analysis, patients with a higher CONUT score (>3), lower GNRI (≤85.77), and lower PNI (≤40.2) had significantly higher risk of TF (38.2% vs. 18.9%, P = .011; 39.6% vs. 25.1%, P = .043; 35.9% vs. 17.9%, P = .022; respectively). After adjusting confounding factors, a high CONUT score and low PNI were independently and significantly associated with TF analyzed by a multivariate Cox regression model (hazard ratio 2.284, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.248-4.179, P = .007; hazard ratio 2.070, 95% CI 1.233-3.475, P = .006; respectively). The largest AUC to predict TF was PNI (AUC 0.600, 95% CI 0.539-0.658), followed by CONUT score (AUC 0.596, 95% CI 0.535-0.654) and GNRI (AUC 0.572, 95% CI 0.511-0.631).

CONCLUSIONS

The CONUT score and PNI are independently associated with TF in PD patients. Moreover, assessment of PNI and the CONUT score may provide more useful predictive values than GNRI.

Utility of Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Mini-Review

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most significant risk factors for cardiovasculardisese. Malnutrition has been recognized as a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease in patients with CKD, including those on chronic dialysis. Current studies showed higher all-cause and cardiovascular mortality rates in patients with CKD and malnutrition. Geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), a simple and validated nutritional screening measure for both elderly people and patients on dialysis, is based only on three objective parameters: body weight, height, and serum albumin level. Recently, we demonstrated that the cutoff GNRI for predicting all-cause and cardiovascular mortality was 96 in patients on hemodialysis. Moreover, together with left ventricular hypertrophy and low estimated glomerular filtration rate, the utility of GNRI as a significant determinant of cardiovascular events was demonstrated in non-dialysis-dependent patients with CKD. In the present review, we summarize available evidence regarding the relationship of GNRI with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with CKD including those on dialysis.

Evaluation of objective nutritional indexes as predictors of worse outcomes in peritoneal dialysis patients

OBJECTIVES

Objective nutritional indexes have been shown to predict prognosis in some clinical settings. We aimed to explore the predictive values of these indexes in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD).

METHODS

This is a single-center retrospective observational study in patients undergoing PD. The controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score, prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) were calculated at baseline. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. The secondary outcome was new-onset cardiocerebrovascular disease (CVD) events. Univariate and multivariate Cox regressions were performed to investigate the association between confounding factors and outcomes. The optimal cutoff values were determined using a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. We used the Kaplan-Meier curve to compare the outcomes according to the cutoff values. The area under the curve (AUC) was used to test discriminative power of these objective nutritional indexes.

RESULTS

We analyzed 252 patients undergoing PD at our institution. On the Cox hazard analysis, the CONUT score, PNI, and GNRI were independently associated with all-cause mortality (CONUT: hazard ratio [HR]: 1.496; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.241-1.804; P < 0.001; PNI: HR: 0.878; 95% CI, 0.815-0.946; P = 0.001; and GNRI: HR: 0.930; 95% CI, 0.885-0.978; P = 0.040) and CVD incidence (CONUT: HR: 1.385; 95% CI, 1.177-1.630; P < 0.001; PNI: HR: 0.885; 95% CI, 0.826-0.949; P = 0.001; and GNRI: HR: 0.936; 95% CI, 0.893-0.981; P = 0.005). In the Kaplan-Meier analysis, patients with a higher CONUT score and lower PNI had significantly higher incidence of all-cause mortality (17.7% versus 3.0%; P = 0.022; 24.3% versus 5.7%, P = 0.003, respectively). As for new-onset CVD, patients with a higher CONUT score, lower PNI, and lower GNRI had higher occurrence rates (19.4% versus 3.0%; P = 0.006; 28.7% versus 7.9%; P = 0.001; 24.4% versus 9.9%; P = 0.035, respectively). The largest AUC to predict all-cause mortality was the CONUT score (AUC: 0.733; 95% CI, 0.674-0.787). For CVD prevalence, the largest AUC was the PNI (AUC: 0.718; 95% CI, 0.658-0.773).

CONCLUSIONS

Objective nutritional indexes were independently associated with all-cause mortality and CVD events in patients undergoing PD. Moreover, assessments of the CONUT score and PNI may provide more useful predictive values than GNRI.

Serum Zinc Concentration Correlates With Ferritin Concentration in Patients Undergoing Peritoneal Dialysis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Zinc deficiency is common and is associated with erythropoietin resistant anemia, dysgeusia, and hypogonadism in patients undergoing hemodialysis. However, the prevalence and clinical effects of zinc deficiency in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) have not been determined. Methods: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study. The prevalence of serum zinc deficiency and the clinical factors related to serum zinc concentration were determined in 49 patients undergoing PD [mean age 59.5 years (±14.8 years), 38/49 were men (78.6%), median PD period 24.0 months (12.5-45.0 months)]. A serum zinc concentration <60 μg/dL was defined as serum zinc deficiency, and a serum zinc concentration between 60 and 80 μg/dL as possible serum zinc deficiency. Results: Serum zinc deficiency was present in 51% (25/49) of the patients, and possible serum zinc deficiency was present in 45% (22/49) of patients undergoing PD. Multivariate analysis showed that serum zinc concentration significantly correlated with serum ferritin concentration (β = 0.357, P < 0.01). Conclusions: The prevalences of serum zinc deficiency and possible serum deficiency are high and serum zinc concentration correlates with serum ferritin concentration in patients undergoing PD.