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

The implications of poor nutritional status on outcomes of geriatric trauma patients

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition is shown to be associated with worse outcomes among surgical patients, yet its postdischarge outcomes in trauma patients are not clear. This study aimed to evaluate both index admission and postdischarge outcomes of geriatric trauma patients who are at risk of poor nutritional status.

METHODS

This is a secondary analysis of the prospective observational American Association of Surgery for Trauma Frailty Multi-institutional Trial. Geriatric (≥65 years) patients presenting to 1 of the 17 Level I/II/III trauma centers (2019-2021) were included and stratified using the simplified Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (albumin [g/dL] + body mass index [kg/m2]/10) into severe (simplified Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index <5), moderate (5.5> simplified Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index ≥5), mild level of nutritional risk (6> simplified Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index ≥5.5), and good nutritional status (simplified Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index ≥6) and compared.

RESULTS

Of the 1,321 patients enrolled, 22% were at risk of poor nutritional status (mild: 13%, moderate: 7%, severe: 3%). The mean age was 77 ± 8 years, and the median [interquartile range] Injury Severity Score was 9 [5-13]. Patients at risk of poor nutritional status had greater rates of sepsis, pneumonia, discharge to the skilled nursing facility and rehabilitation center, index-admission mortality, and 3-month mortality (P < .05). On multivariable analyses, being at risk of severe level of nutritional risk was independently associated with sepsis (adjusted odds ratio 6.21, 95% confidence interval 1.68-22.90, P = .006), pneumonia (adjusted odds ratio 4.40, 95% confidence interval 1.21-16.1, P = .025), index-admission mortality (adjusted odds ratio 3.16, 95% confidence interval 1.03-9.68, P = .044), and 3-month mortality (adjusted odds ratio 8.89, 95% confidence interval 2.01-39.43, P = .004) compared with good nutrition state.

CONCLUSION

Nearly one quarter of geriatric trauma patients were at risk of poor nutritional status, which was identified as an independent predictor of worse index admission and 3-month postdischarge outcomes. These findings underscore the need for nutritional screening at admission.

The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index Is an Independent Predictor for Adverse Outcomes After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition frequently is associated with increased complications and worse outcomes after surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine whether malnutrition status determined using the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) can serve as an independent risk factor for complications in patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).

METHODS

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried from 2011 to 2016 for patients age ≥65 years who underwent ACDF. Patients were categorized into 3 groups based on the GNRI: >98, normal nutritional status; 92-98, moderately malnourished; and <92, severely malnourished. Multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for covariates of demographics, comorbidities, and operative metrics were used to evaluate GNRI as an independent risk factor for postoperative outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 3148 patients who underwent ACDF were analyzed, of whom 78.9% had normal nutrition, 16.1% were moderately malnourished, and 5.0% patients were severely malnourished. On multivariate analysis, moderate and severe malnutrition were found to be independent risk factors for any complication, pulmonary complications, pneumonia, unplanned intubation, and hospital length of stay >6 days (P < 0.05 for all). In addition, moderate malnutrition was a risk factor for failure to wean from ventilation for >48 hours and 30-day readmission. Severe malnutrition was an independent risk factor for septic shock and nonhome discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

In elderly patients after ACDF, malnutrition determined using GNRI is an independent risk factor for 30-day complications, readmissions, prolonged hospital length of stay, and nonhome discharge.

Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty: Evaluating the Utility of the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index as a Risk Stratification Tool

Background

This study investigates the association between the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), a measure of malnutrition risk, and 30-day postoperative complications following revision total hip arthroplasty (rTHA).

Methods

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for all patients ≥65 who underwent aseptic rTHA between 2015 and 2021. The final study population (n = 7119) was divided into 3 groups based on preoperative GNRI: normal/reference (GNRI >98) (n = 4342), moderate malnutrition (92 ≤ GNRI ≤98) (n = 1367), and severe malnutrition (GNRI <92) (n = 1410). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the association between preoperative GNRI and 30-day postoperative complications.

Results

After controlling for significant covariates, the risk of experiencing any postoperative complications was significantly higher with both moderate (odds ratio [OR] 2.08, P < .001) and severe malnutrition (OR 8.79, P < .001). Specifically, moderate malnutrition was independently and significantly associated with deep vein thrombosis (OR 1.01, P = .044), blood transfusions (OR 1.78, P < .001), nonhome discharge (OR 1.83, P < .001), readmission (OR 1.27, P = .035), length of stay >2 days (OR 1.98, P < .001), and periprosthetic fracture (OR 1.54, P = .020). Severe malnutrition was independently and significantly associated with sepsis (OR 3.67, P < .001), septic shock (OR 3.75, P = .002), pneumonia (OR 2.73, P < .001), urinary tract infection (OR 2.04, P = .002), deep vein thrombosis (OR 1.01, P = .001), pulmonary embolism (OR 2.47, P = .019), acute renal failure (OR 8.44, P = .011), blood transfusions (OR 2.78, P < .001), surgical site infection (OR 2.59, P < .001), nonhome discharge (OR 3.36, P < .001), readmission (OR 1.69, P < .001), unplanned reoperation (OR 1.97, P < .001), length of stay >2 days (OR 5.41, P < .001), periprosthetic fractures (OR 1.61, P = .015), and mortality (OR 2.63, P < .001).

Conclusions

Malnutrition has strong predictive value for short-term postoperative complications and has potential as an adjunctive risk stratification tool for geriatric patients undergoing rTHA.

Preoperative nutritional status and postoperative health outcomes in older adults undergoing spine surgery: Electronic health records analysis

AIM

To examine whether a high nutritional risk status, assessed via the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), is independently associated with postoperative health outcomes, including unplanned intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, infectious complications, and prolonged length of stay in older patients undergoing spine surgery.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective descriptive study analyzing electronic health records from a tertiary hospital, including data from 1,014 patients aged ≥70 undergoing elective spine surgery between February 2013 and March 2023.

RESULTS

High nutritional risk patients had significantly higher odds of unplanned ICU admission, infectious complications, and prolonged length of stay compared to low-risk patients. For each one-point increase in GNRI, there was a significant 0.91- and 0.95-fold decrease in the odds of unplanned ICU admission and infectious complications, respectively.

CONCLUSION

GNRI screening in older patients before spine surgery may have potential to identify those at elevated risk for postoperative adverse outcomes.

The impact of preoperative nutritional status on postoperative outcomes: an insight from Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index in elderly pancreaticoduodenectomy patients

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition is not uncommon among the elderly undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) and is related to increased complications. Previous studies have shown that the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) predicts outcomes in various populations. Nevertheless, the research exploring the correlation between GNRI and postoperative outcomes in PD is scarce. This study aimed to investigate the preoperative malnutrition, as measured by GNRI, on outcomes in elderly patients undergoing PD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective analysis enrolled 144 elderly patients underwent PD for periampullary tumors from November 2016 to December 2021. Patients were stratified based on the GNRI value: high/moderate nutrition risk (GNRI ≤ 92, N = 54), low nutrition risk (92 < GNRI ≤ 98, N = 35), and no nutrition risk (GNRI > 98, N = 55). Perioperative outcomes and postoperative surgical complications were compared between these groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed on major postoperative complications and prolonged postoperative length of stay (PLOS).

RESULTS

Patients in the high/moderate risk group were significantly older, with lower BMI (P = 0.012), higher mortality rate (11.1%, P = 0.024), longer PLOS (P < 0.001), and higher incidence of over grade IIIB complications (37.0%, P = 0.001), Univariate and multivariate analyses showed the high/moderate risk GNRI group (OR 3.61, P = 0.032), increased age (OR 1.11, P = 0.014) and operative time over 8 h (OR 3.04, P = 0.027) were significantly associated with increased major postoperative complications. The high/moderate risk GNRI group was also a significant predictor for prolonged PLOS (OR 3.91, P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative GNRI has the potential to be a predictive tool for identifying high-risk elderly patients and monitoring nutritional status preoperatively to improve postoperative surgical outcomes following PD.

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.

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.

Shoulder arthroscopy in elderly patients: malnutrition and early postoperative outcomes

Background

This study investigates the association between the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), a simple, readily available malnutrition risk index, and 30-day postoperative complications following shoulder arthroscopy.

Methods

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was used to identify all patients aged ≥65 years who underwent shoulder arthroscopy between 2015 and 2021. The study population was indexed into 3 cohorts of preoperative GNRI: normal/reference (GNRI >98), moderate malnutrition (92≤ GNRI ≤98), and severe malnutrition (GNRI <92). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the connection between preoperative GNRI and postoperative complications.

Results

Severe malnutrition was independently significantly associated with a greater likelihood of any complication (odds ratio [OR]: 11.70, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.58-15.94; P < .001), sepsis (OR: 26.61, 95% CI: 10.86-65.21; P < .001), septic shock (OR: 7.53, 95% CI: 1.56-36.32; P = .012), blood transfusions (OR: 25.38, 95% CI: 6.40-100.59; P < .001), pulmonary embolism (OR: 7.25, 95% CI: 1.27-41.40; P = .026), surgical site infection (OR: 22.08, 95% CI: 7.51-64.97; P < .001), nonhome discharge (OR: 15.75, 95% CI: 9.83-25.23; P < .001), readmission (OR: 2.69, 95% CI: 1.52-4.74; P < .001), unplanned reoperation (OR: 6.32, 95% CI: 2.23-17.92; P < .001), length of stay >2 days (OR: 23.66, 95% CI: 16.25-34.45; P < .001), and mortality (OR: 14.25, 95% CI: 2.89-70.40; P = .001).

Conclusion

GNRI-based malnutrition is strongly predictive of perioperative complications following shoulder arthroscopy in geriatric patients and has utility as an adjunctive risk stratification tool.

The geriatric nutritional risk index as a strong predictor of adverse outcomes following total shoulder arthroplasty

Background

This study investigates the association between the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), a simple readily available measure of malnutrition risk, and 30-day postoperative complications following total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA).

Methods

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for all patients who underwent TSA between 2015 and 2021. The study population was divided into 3 groups based on preoperative GNRI: normal/reference (GNRI > 98), moderate malnutrition (92 ≤ GNRI ≤ 98), and severe malnutrition (GNRI < 92). Logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the connection between preoperative GNRI and postoperative complications.

Results

Compared to normal nutrition, moderate malnutrition was independently significantly associated with a greater likelihood of any complications (odds ratio [OR]: 1.74, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.54-1.96; P < .001), blood transfusions (OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.09-2.11; P = .013), failure to wean off a ventilator within 48 hours (OR: 3.84, 95% CI: 1.26-11.72; P = .018), wound dehiscence (OR: 15.80, 95% CI: 1.61-155.28; P = .018), nonhome discharge (OR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.63-2.22; P < .001), readmission (OR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.19-1.99; P = .001), unplanned reoperation (OR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.27-2.74; P = .001), length of stay > 2 days (OR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.63-2.12; P < .001), and mortality (OR: 3.38, 95% CI: 1.32-8.71; P = .011). Severe malnutrition was independently significantly associated with a greater likelihood of any complication (OR: 3.33, 95% CI: 2.80-3.97; P < .001), sepsis (OR: 9.83, 95% CI: 2.94-32.85; P < .001), pneumonia (OR: 3.30, 95% CI: 1.71-6.38; P < .001), unplanned reintubation (OR: 5.77, 95% CI: 2.47-13.51; P < .001), urinary tract infection (OR: 2.15, 95% CI: 1.19-3.87; P = .011), stroke (OR: 3.57, 95% CI: 1.18-10.84; P = .024), blood transfusions (OR: 5.27, 95% CI: 3.86-7.20; P < .001), failure to wean off a ventilator within 48 hours (OR: 7.64, 95% CI: 2.29-25.55; P < .001), Clostridioides difficile infection (OR: 4.17, 95% CI: 1.21-14.32; P = .023), nonhome discharge (OR: 3.56, 95% CI: 2.92-4.34; P < .001), readmission (OR: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.46-2.89; P < .001), length of stay > 2 days (OR: 3.27, 95% CI: 2.73-3.92; P < .001), and mortality (OR: 4.61, 95% CI: 1.51-14.04; P = .007).

Conclusion

Malnutrition based on GNRI is a strong predictor of complications following TSA, with increasing severity related to an increased rate of complications.

Geriatric nutritional risk index as a predictor of prognosis in hematologic malignancies: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

Recent studies have reported inconsistent results regarding the association between geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) and clinical outcomes in patients with hematologic malignancies (HMs). We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of low GNRI on the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with HMs.

Research Methods and Procedures

We conducted the research via PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases to identify trials. Exploring the association between GNRI and prognosis in patients with HMs. A meta-analysis of OS and PFS was performed. Quality In Prognostic Studies instrument and Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment Scale were used to assess the quality of included trials.

Results

Fourteen studies enrolling 3,524 patients with HMs were included. Low GNRI was associated with shorter OS (Hazard ratio (HR) = 1.77; 95% CI = 1.44-2.18, p < 0.01) and PFS (HR = 1.63; 95% CI = 1.17-2.27, p < 0.01) in patients with HMs. In the subgroup analysis, GNRI was not significantly associated with prognosis in Chinese patients with HMs (OS, HR =1.33; 95% CI = 0.89-1.98, p = 0.16; PFS, HR = 1.70; 95% CI = 0.72-4.01, p = 0.23). For the subgroup with a GNRI cutoff value less than 98, there was no significant difference in PFS (HR = 1.34; 95% CI = 0.98-1.83, p = 0.06).

Conclusion

Low GNRI negatively impacted on the prognosis in patients with HMs. Prospective studies to identify the best cut-off value for GNRI are required.

Preoperative incidence and risk factors of deep vein thrombosis in Japanese patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty

PURPOSE

Preoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk factor for postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE), causing severe mortality. Early detection of preoperative DVT is essential to prevent postoperative VTE. However, little is known regarding preoperative DVT in patients undergoing major surgery. The present study aimed to determine the incidence and risk factors of preoperative DVT in patients admitted for total hip arthroplasty (THA).

METHODS

From August 2017 to September 2022, 243 patients admitted for THA at our institution were enrolled in this study. Patients medical records and preoperative laboratory data were retrospectively collected. According to the results of lower-limb ultrasonography, patients were divided into either the non-DVT (n = 136) or DVT (n = 43) group. The incidence of DVT and independent risk factors for preoperative DVT were investigated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

The mean age was 74.0 ± 8.4 years. Preoperative DVT was diagnosed in 43 of the 243 (17.7%) patients. The risk of DVT was significantly high (p < 0.05) in patients with advanced age, increased D-dimer levels, and malnutrition status, as assessed by the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI). Multivariate analysis showed that advanced age, increased D-dimer level, and malnutrition status assessed by the GNRI were independent risk factors for preoperative DVT.

CONCLUSION

A high incidence of preoperative DVT was observed in patients undergoing THA. Advanced age, increased D-dimer levels, and malnutrition assessed by the GNRI increased the risk of preoperative DVT. Screening high-risk subgroups for preoperative DVT is necessary to prevent postoperative VTE.

Prognostic Significance of Nutrition-Associated Markers in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

The prognostic significance of nutrition indicators in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is unclear.

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the prognostic value of serum albumin (SA), the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), and the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in patients with HFpEF.

METHODS

Databases of PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were systematically searched for all studies published up to January 2022. The prognostic significance of SA, GNRI, and PNI for HFpEF was explored. Pooled hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated using the STATA 15.0 software. The Quality of Prognosis Studies tool was used to assess the quality of studies.

RESULTS

Nine studies met the inclusion criteria, and 5603 adults with HFpEF were included in the meta-analysis. The analyses showed that a decreased SA or GNRI was significantly related to high all-cause mortality (HR: 1.98; 95% CI: 1.282-3.057; p = 0.002; and HR: 1.812;95% CI: 1.064-3.086; p = 0.029, respectively). Furthermore, a lower SA indicates a bad composite outcome of all-cause mortality and HF rehospitalization (HR: 1.768; 95% CI: 1.483-2.108; p = 0.000), and a lower GNRI was significantly associated with high cardiovascular mortality (HR: 1.922; 95% CI: 1.504-2.457;p = 0.000). However, a lower PNI did not correlate with all-cause mortality (HR: 1.176; 95% CI: 0.858-1.612, p=0.314).

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis indicates that SA and GNRI may be useful indicators to predict the prognosis of patients with HFpEF.

Geriatric nutritional risk index predicts all-cause mortality in the oldest-old patients with acute coronary syndrome: A 10-year cohort study

Background and objective

Nutritional status assessment in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients has been neglected for a long time. The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is a sensitive indicator for assessing the nutritional status of the elderly. This study aims to explore the association between GNRI and all-cause mortality in the oldest-old patients with ACS.

Methods

The patients who met the inclusion criteria were consecutively enrolled from January 2006 to December 2012. Clinical data were collected on admission, and all subjects were followed after being discharged. The nutritional status was evaluated using GNRI. The relationship between GNRI and all-cause mortality was assessed by using different analyses.

Results

A total of 662 patients with a mean age of 81.87 ± 2.14 years old were included in our study, and followed (median: 63 months, IQR 51-71). Patients whose GNRI ≤ 98 were reported as at risk of malnutrition (31.11%, n = 206). In multivariable analysis, we found that for each SD increase in GNRI, the risk of all-cause mortality lowered by 23%, and the HR for GNRI ≤ 98 was 1.39 (95% CI 1.04-1.86). After stratifying patients into three groups by tertiles of GNRI, we found that the HRs for tertile 2 and tertile 3 were 1.49 (95% CI 1.02-2.19) and 1.74 (95% CI 1.22-2.50), respectively. The trend test revealed a dose-response relationship between GNRI and all-cause mortality in the oldest-old with ACS. Lastly, in subgroup analyses, we found a reliable association between GNRI and all-cause mortality.

Conclusion

Malnutrition is common in the oldest-old patients with ACS, and GNRI could predict their long-term all-cause mortality in a dose-dependent manner. GNRI may be a prospective index for risk-stratification and secondary-prevention in the oldest-old patients with ACS.

Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index and the Prognosis of Patients with Stroke: A Meta-Analysis

Malnutrition evidenced by low geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) has been suggested as a potential predictor of poor prognosis of patients with various clinical conditions. We performed a meta-analysis to systematically assess the association between GNRI and the prognosis of patients after stroke. Cohort studies were identified by search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane's Library and Web of Science databases from inception to March 25, 2022, according to the aim of the meta-analysis. A random-effect model incorporating the potential between-study heterogeneity was used to pool the results. Eight cohort studies with 13573 patients with stroke contributed to the meta-analysis. Pooled results showed that malnutrition as evidenced by low GNRI was independently associated with a higher risk of poor functional outcome [risk ratio (RR): 1.54, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.19 to 1.98, p<0.001; I2=69%] and an increased incidence of all-cause mortality (RR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.35 to 2.47, p<0.001; I2=74%). Sensitivity analyses showed consistent results in patients with ischemic stroke, and in prospective cohort studies. Subgroup analyses showed that the associations were not significant for patients with GNRI-defined mild malnutrition (p=0.18 and 0.20 for functional and mortality outcomes, respectively), but significant for patients with moderate-severe malnutrition (both p<0.001). Difference in follow-up durations did not significantly affect the associations (p for subgroup difference=0.75 and 0.70, respectively). In conclusion, a low GNRI is associated with poor functional and survival outcomes in patients after stroke.

Usefulness of nutritional assessment using Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index as an independent predictor of 30-day mortality after hip fracture surgery

INTRODUCTION

The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) is an objective nutritional status assessment tool used for predicting mortality risk in hospitalized patients. However, it is unclear whether GNRI reflects short-term mortality for hip fracture patients after surgery. We examined the usefulness of the nutritional status assessed by the GNRI and identified cutoff scores that predict mortality risk. Does GNRI on admission predict the mortality after surgery for hip fracture?

HYPOTHESIS

Evaluation of GNRI could help identify patients at higher risk of 30-day mortality after hip fracture surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study used data from 1040 patients who underwent hip fracture surgery. Fatalities within 30 days after hip fracture surgery were investigated. The GNRI was calculated on admission in all patients as follows: 14.89×serum albumin (g/dL)+41.7×body mass index/22. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to calculate the area under the curve (AUC) and the optimal cutoff score that could predict 30-day mortality after hip fracture surgery. This cutoff score was used for comparing the mortality rates between patient groups with a GNRI higher and lower than the cutoff score using Fisher's exact test. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors of 30-day mortality.

RESULTS

There were 17 fatalities (1.6%) in the cohort. The ROC-AUC value was 0.811, and the cutoff GNRI was 75.4. Mortality was significantly higher in the group with a GNRI<75.4 compared with the group with a GNRI≥75.4 (odds ratio [OR], 22.99; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 7.55-78.05; p=0.00000004). A GNRI<75.4 was a significant predictor of mortality within 30-days after hip fracture surgery (OR, 27.1; 95% CI, 8.57-85.9; p≤0.0001).

DISCUSSION

Our results show that nutritional status assessment using GNRI can help predict 30-day mortality among geriatric patients undergoing surgery for hip fracture. The GNRI is a simple and accurate tool for predicting the risk of mortality after hip fracture surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV; case series study.

Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index as a Prognostic Factor of Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), a newly developed indicator of nutritional status retrieved by serum albumin concentration and ideal body weight, has been suggested as a prognostic factor for various malignancies. The aim of the study was to summarize the prognostic role of GNRI for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in a meta-analysis. Cohort studies evaluating the relationship between GNRI at baseline and survival OF NSCLC were retrieved by search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases from inception to January 12, 2022. A conservative random-effect model incorporating the possible influence of between-study heterogeneity was used to pool the results. Eleven cohorts including 2865 patients with NSCLC were included. Compared to those with higher GNRI, NSCLC patients with lower GNRI were associated with poorer overall survival [OS, hazard ratio (HR): 2.39, 95% CI: 1.97-2.91, p<0.001; I2=29%), progression-free survival (HR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.52-2.47, p<0.001; I2=29%), and cancer-specific survival (HR: 2.59, 95% CI: 1.55-4.35, p<0.001; I2=0%). Subgroup analyses showed that the significant association between lower GNRI and worse OS in patients with NSCLC was not affected by study characteristics including study location, design, cancer stage, treatment, or follow-up durations (p for subgroup effects all<0.001). In conclusion, a lower GNRI in patients with NSCLC may be a predictor of poor survival. Nutritional status indicated by GNRI may be important for the prognostic prediction of patients with NSCLC.

The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index Is an Independent Predictor of Adverse Outcomes for Total Joint Arthroplasty Patients

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition affects patient outcomes after total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Although hypoalbuminemia has been used as a surrogate, there is no unanimous method for screening and assessing malnutrition. This study aimed to determine if malnutrition, as defined by the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), is independently correlated with short-term (<30 days) postoperative complications and prognosis in patients undergoing TJA.

METHODS

The 2016-2019 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program was queried for all patients aged >65 years who underwent TJA. Based on GNRI value, patients were divided into 3 groups: normal nutrition (GNRI >98), moderate malnutrition (GNRI 92-98), and severe malnutrition (GNRI <92). After adjusting for potential confounders, multivariable regression models were used to analyze the association between GNRI and patient outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 191,087 patients were included in the study. Prevalence of malnutrition based on body mass index (<18.5 kg/m²), albumin (<3.5 mg/dL), and GNRI (≤98) was 0.41% (784), 4.17% (7975), and 15.83% (30,258). Adjusted analysis showed that compared with normal nutrition, moderate and severe malnutrition status were associated with a higher rate of transfusion, readmission, and postoperative length of stay over 8 days (P < .05). Severe malnutrition was also associated with pneumonia, surgical site infection, urinary tract infection, sepsis, and revision surgery (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Malnutrition, as defined by GNRI, is an independent predictor of adverse outcomes after TJA, including 30-day readmission, revision surgery, and increased length of stay. GNRI can be used to routinely screen and assess patient nutritional status before TJA and counsel patients and families appropriately.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 3: Retrospective Cohort Study.

The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index as a predictor of complications in geriatric trauma patients

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition is associated with increased morbidity and mortality after trauma. The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) is a validated scoring system used to predict the risk of complications related to malnutrition in nontrauma patients. We hypothesized that GNRI is predictive of worse outcomes in geriatric trauma patients.

METHODS

This was a single-center retrospective study of trauma patients 65 years or older admitted in 2019. Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index was calculated based on admission albumin level and ratio of actual body weight to ideal body weight. Groups were defined as major risk (GNRI <82), moderate risk (GNRI 82-91), low risk (GNRI 92-98), and no risk (GNRI >98). The primary outcome was mortality. Secondary outcomes included ventilator days, intensive care unit length of stay (LOS), hospital LOS, discharge home, sepsis, pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the association between GNRI risk category and outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 513 patients were identified for analysis. Median age was 78 years (71-86 years); 24 patients (4.7%) were identified as major risk, 66 (12.9%) as moderate risk, 72 (14%) as low risk, and 351 (68.4%) as no risk. Injury Severity Scores and Charlson Comorbidity Indexes were similar between all groups. Patients in the no risk group had decreased rates of death, and after adjusting for Injury Severity Score, age, and Charlson Comorbidity Index, the no risk group had decreased odds of death (odds ratio, 0.13; 95% confidence interval, 0.04-0.41) compared with the major risk group. The no risk group also had fewer infectious complications including sepsis and pneumonia, and shorter hospital LOS and were more likely to be discharged home.

CONCLUSIONS

Major GNRI risk is associated with increased mortality and infectious complications in geriatric trauma patients. Further studies should target interventional strategies for those at highest risk based on GNRI.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic and Epidemiologic; Level III.

Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index and Survival of Patients With Colorectal Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Background

Geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is an indicator of nutritional status derived by serum albumin level and ideal body weight, which has been proposed as a predictor of prognosis for elderly population with various clinical conditions. The objective of the meta-analysis was to comprehensively evaluate the association between baseline GNRI and survival of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods

Cohort studies were identified by search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases from inception to January 05, 2022 according to the aim of the meta-analysis. A random-effect model incorporating the potential between-study heterogeneity was adopted to pool the results.

Results

Nine studies including 3658 patients with CRC contributed to the meta-analysis. Results showed that CRC patients with lower GNRI at baseline had worse overall survival (OS, hazard ratio [HR] 2.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.78-3.23, p<0.001; I2 = 60%) and progression-free survival (PFS, HR 1.77, 95% CI 1.38-2.26, p<0.001; I2 = 33%). The results were consistent in sensitivity analyses limited to elderly patients (HR for OS 2.25, p<0.001; HR for PFS 1.65, p=0.003). Subgroup analyses showed consistent results in patents with different cancer stages, and in studies with median follow-up < and ≥ 5 years (p for subgroup effects all < 0.05).

Conclusion

A lower GNRI at baseline may be independent associated with poor survival outcomes of patients with CRC. Evaluating the nutritional status using GNRI may be important for risk stratification of patients with CRC.

Nutritional Risk Index Predicts Survival in Patients With Breast Cancer Treated With Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

Nutritional risk index (NRI) is an index based on ideal body weight that aims to present body weight and serum albumin levels. It has been utilized to discriminate patients at risk of postoperative complications and predict the postoperative outcome of major surgeries. However, this index remains limited for breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). The research explores the clinical and prognostic significance of NRI in breast cancer patients. This study included 785 breast cancer patients (477 cases received NACT and 308 cases did not) were enrolled in this retrospective study. The optimal NRI cutoff value was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, then reclassified as low NRI group (<112) and high NRI group (≥112). The results demonstrated that NRI independently predicted survival on disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) by univariate and multivariate Cox regression survival analyses [P = 0.019, hazard ratio (HR): 1.521, 95% CI: 1.071–2.161 and P = 0.004, HR: 1.415, 95% CI: 1.119–1.789; and P = 0.026, HR:1.500, 95% CI: 1.051–2.143 and P < 0.001, HR: 1.547, 95% CI: 1.221–1.959]. According to the optimal cutoff value of NRI, the high NRI value patients had longer mean DFS and OS time in contrast to those with low NRI value patients (63.47 vs. 40.50 months; 71.50 vs. 56.39 months). Furthermore, the results demonstrated that the high NRI score patients had significantly longer mean DFS and OS time than those with low NRI score patients in early-stage breast cancer (χ² = 9.0510, P = 0.0026 and χ² = 9.2140, P = 0.0024) and advanced breast cancer (χ² = 6.2500, P = 0.0124 and χ² = 5.8880, P = 0.0152). The mean DFS and OS values in patients with high NRI scores were significantly longer in contrast to those with low NRI scores in different molecular subtypes. The common toxicities after NACT were hematologic and gastrointestinal reactions, and the NRI had no statistically significant effects on toxicities, except in nausea (χ² = 9.2413, P = 0.0024), mouth ulcers (χ² = 4.8133, P = 0.0282), anemia (χ² = 8.5441, P = 0.0140), and leukopenia (χ² = 11.0951, P = 0.0039). NRI serves as a minimally invasive, easily accessible and convenient prognostic tool for evaluating breast cancer prognoses and treatment efficacy, and may help doctors in terms of selecting measures of greater efficiency or appropriateness to better treat breast cancer.

Is Preoperative Serum Albumin Predictive of Adverse Surgical Outcomes in Maxillofacial Fracture Repair?

PURPOSE

Malnutrition has been recognized as a predictor of postoperative adverse outcomes across many surgical subspecialties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum albumin and adverse outcomes in patients undergoing operative repair of maxillofacial fractures.

METHODS

The authors utilized the 2011 to 2018 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) databases to identify patients with facial fractures undergoing operative repair. The primary predictor variable was preoperative serum albumin level. Outcome variables included complications and other adverse outcomes occurring within 30 days of the index operation. Descriptive, bivariate, and multiple logistic regression statistics were utilized to evaluate the relationship between serum albumin and adverse outcomes.

RESULTS

During the study period 1211 subjects underwent operative repair of a facial fracture and had a documented serum albumin level. Of these subjects, 1037 (85.6%) had normal albumin levels and 174 (14.4%) had hypoalbuminemia. A total of 90 subjects experienced a complication (7.43%), although albumin level was not associated with surgical complications or any complication. In bivariate analysis, subjects with hypoalbuminemia were significantly more likely to have an extended length of stay (P ≤ .001), adverse discharge disposition (P ≤ .001), and be readmitted (P = .002). In multivariate analysis, hypoalbuminemia was an independent predictor of an extended length of stay (P ≤ .001, 95% CI 2.50 to 7.62), adverse discharge disposition (P = .048, 95% CI 1.01 to 3.75), and readmission (P = .041, 95% CI 1.03 to 3.47).

CONCLUSIONS

Serum albumin was not an independent predictor of complications after maxillofacial trauma repair. However, it was an independent predictor of other adverse outcomes including extended length of stay, adverse discharge disposition, and readmission. Targeted nutritional optimization may represent an opportunity to improve outcomes in this demographic.

Mitigating the stress response to improve outcomes for older patients undergoing emergency surgery with the addition of beta-adrenergic blockade

As population age, healthcare systems and providers are likely to experience a substantial increase in the proportion of elderly patients requiring emergency surgery. Emergency surgery, compared with planned surgery, is strongly associated with increased risks of adverse postoperative outcomes due to the short time available for diagnosis, optimization, and intervention in patients presenting with physiological derangement. These patient populations, who are often frail and burdened with a variety of co-morbidities, have lower reserves to deal with the stress of the acute condition and the required emergency surgical intervention. In this review article, we discuss topical areas where mitigation of the physiological stress posed by the acute condition and asociated surgical intervention may be feasible. We consider the impact of the adrenergic response and use of beta blockers for these high-risk patients and discuss common risk factors such as frailty and delirium. A proactive multidisciplinary approach to peri-operative care aimed at mitigation of the stress response and proactive management of common conditions in the older emergency surgical patient could yield more favorable outcomes.