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

Association between malnutrition and adverse renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes

INTRODUCTION

Nutritional management is crucial in patients with chronic kidney disease. Therefore, it is important to assess nutritional status and detect malnutrition, especially in patients with diabetes. However, there is currently a lack of evidence regarding the relationship between nutritional indices and renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes. This study investigated whether the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is related to renal prognosis in type 2 diabetes patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 946 type 2 diabetes patients enrolled in the Fukushima Cohort Study. The primary endpoint of this study was a renal event, defined as a combination of a 50% decline in eGFR from baseline and end-stage kidney disease. All-cause death and new cardiovascular events were also measured as secondary outcomes. The association between GNRI and these endpoints was assessed using Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

The median patient age was 66 years, 57% were men, the median eGFR was 67.9 mL/min/1.73 m2, and the median GNRI was 100.0. Compared to patients in the highest GNRI tertile, patients in the lowest tertile had a significantly increased risk of the renal event (HR 5.15, 95% CI 2.51-10.6) and all-cause death (HR 2.30, 95% CI 1.20-4.42). A significant association was not observed between GNRI levels and cardiovascular events.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed an association between poor nutritional status, assessed by GNRI, and adverse outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. Nutritional status assessment has potential utility as a prognostic tool for individuals with type 2 diabetes.

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.

Association of geriatric nutritional risk index with total testosterone in elderly adults in the US: evidence from NHANES 2011-2016

Background and objectives

There is growing evidence that deficiencies in specific nutrients can impact testosterone levels in older men. However, research examining the predictive value of overall nutritional status on testosterone levels remains limited. The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) is an effective tool for assessing the nutritional status of the elderly. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the potential correlation between the GNRI and serum total testosterone (TT).

Methods

A representative sample of U.S. males aged 60 years and older who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles from 2011 to 2016 was utilized for this cross-sectional study. The research included a total of 829 older adults. Tandem mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography were employed to quantify TT. To examine the association between GNRI and TT, restricted cubic splines (RCS) and weighted multivariate regression analyses were conducted. Subgroup analysis was performed to identify the variables influencing the positive association between GNRI and TT. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis was carried out to compare the weighted and unweighted data.

Results

After adjusting for all other factors, a positive association was found between GNRI and TT. The beta coefficient was 5.59, with a 95% confidence interval of 2.16 to 9.01, and a p-value of 0.003. Compared to the lowest quartile of GNRI (Q1), the second quartile (Q2), third quartile (Q3), and fourth quartile (Q4) significantly increased the level of TT. The beta coefficients for Q2, Q3, and Q4 were 70.15 (p = 0.022), 104.40 (p < 0.001), and 84.83 (p < 0.001), respectively. In subgroup analyses, statistically significant associations were observed among participants who did not have diabetes, had hypertension, and had a BMI of 24.9 or less. According to the sensitivity analysis, unweighted data also found GNRI to be associated with TT (beta = 3.09, P = 0.031).

Conclusion

A positive correlation was identified between the GNRI and TT in the elderly male population of the United States. Further prospective studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm the causal relationship between GNRI and TT.

Low geriatric nutritional risk index is associated with osteosarcopenia in older patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

The association between the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) and osteosarcopenia in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is not clear.

METHODS

A total of 573 individuals with T2DM were included in this cross-sectional study. Osteosarcopenia was defined as the presence of both osteoporosis and sarcopenia. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass and bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry to diagnose sarcopenia and osteoporosis. Multivariate analyses were used to assess the association between Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) and osteosarcopenia.

RESULTS

The patients were divided into four groups: robust (n = 367), osteoporosis alone (n = 154), sarcopenia alone (n = 29), and osteosarcopenia (n = 23). The GNRI was the lowest in osteosarcopenia group and was positively correlated with skeletal muscle index (SMI) (r = 0.122, p = 0.004), grip strength (r = 0.154, p < 0.001), gait speed (r = 0.123, p = 0.004), and BMD of lumbar spine 2-4, femoral neck, and total hip (r = 0.137, p = 0.002; r = 0.096, p = 0.028; r = 0.086, p = 0.049, respectively). In the logistic regression model low GNRI was significantly associated with an increased risk of osteosarcopenia (adjusted OR, 4.164; 95% CI, 1.283-13.514, p = 0.018). Age provided a discriminatory effect of osteosarcopenia with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.764. When GNRI values were added to the model, the value of the ROC curve was further improved, with an AUC of 0.842.

CONCLUSION

Low GNRI was associated with an increased risk of osteosarcopenia in older adults with T2DM. Comprehensive clinical evaluation of nutritional status by a simple tool such as GNRI might be helpful for early identification of those at high risk for osteosarcopenia in older diabetic individuals.

Association between nutritional status indices and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in older adults: insights from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017-2018

While previous studies have identified a relationship between dietary intake and the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the influence of overall nutritional status on NAFLD development has not been thoroughly investigated. This study sought to explore the association between different nutritional status indicators and NAFLD among the older adults. Nutritional status was evaluated using controlling nutritional status (CONUT), prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and nutritional risk index (GNRI), while NAFLD was identified based on a controlled attenuation parameter ≥ 285 dB/m, measured using transient elastography. The analysis included multivariate regression, receiver operating characteristic analysis, eXtreme Gradient Boosting and subgroup analysis to investigate the relationships between nutritional status indices and NAFLD. The study enrolled 1409 participants for the main analysis, with an NAFLD prevalence of 44·7 %. After accounting for potential confounders, a positive association between PNI and NAFLD was observed. Participants in the third and fourth quartiles of PNI showed increased odds of NAFLD compared with the lowest quartile (Q3: OR = 1·45, 95 % CI (1·03, 2·05); Q4: OR = 2·27, 95 % CI (1·59, 3·24)). Similarly, higher GNRI quartiles were significantly associated with greater odds of NAFLD (Q4 v. Q1: aOR = 1·84; 95 % CI (1·28, 2·65)). Conversely, higher CONUT values were linked to a reduced prevalence of NAFLD (OR = 0·65, 95 % CI (0·48, 0·87)). This study highlights that suboptimal nutritional status, indicating overnutrition as evaluated by PNI, GNRI and CONUT, is positively linked with the risk of NAFLD in individuals aged 50 years and above.

Prevalence and influencing factors of malnutrition in diabetic patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The prevalence of malnutrition in diabetic patients and its influencing factors remain poorly described. We aim to investigate the prevalence of malnutrition and the influencing factors in diabetic patients through meta-analysis. Utilizing search terms, such as diabetes, malnutrition, and prevalence, we systematically searched eight databases, including Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM), and VIP Database, from inception to May 4, 2023. The search aimed to identify studies related to the prevalence of malnutrition and its influencing factors in adult patients with diabetes. Cohort studies, case-control studies, and cross-sectional studies that met the inclusion criteria were included in the analysis. Stata 16.0 software was used for meta-analysis. Quality of the evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). The study protocol is registered with Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), CRD42023443649. A total of 46 studies were included, involving 18 062 patients with ages ranging from 18 to 95 years. The overall malnutrition prevalence was 33% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.25-0.40), compared with an at-risk prevalence of 44% (95% CI: 0.34-0.54). Sixteen factors associated with malnutrition in diabetic patients were identified. This meta-analysis provides insights into the prevalence of malnutrition and its risk factors in diabetic patients. Regular nutritional screening for patients with risk factors is essential for early detection and intervention.

Factors associated with skeletal muscle mass in middle-aged men living with HIV

BACKGROUND

Despite extensive research on muscle loss in people living with HIV (PLWH), the prevalence and contributing factors specifically among middle-aged men remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of low muscle mass within this demographic and to identify associated factors.

METHODS

A total of 378 men living with HIV were enrolled in the study. They were classified into low muscle mass group if they displayed a skeletal muscle index (SMI) <7.00 kg/m2 or fell within the lowest quintile of SMI based on the criteria established by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019.

RESULTS

Out of the 378 men living with HIV enrolled, 351 had normal muscle mass, while 27 (7.1%) had low muscle mass. Antiretroviral drugs Zidovudine (AZT) (OR = 0.246, P = 0.022) and higher serum albumin levels (OR = 0.899, P = 0.026) were found to be protective factors against low muscle mass according to quintile grouping. Strong positive associations between SMI and body mass index (BMI), nutritional risk index (NRI), oedema index and fat-free mass index (FFMI) (R > 0.5, P < 0.001) were observed. In addition, both BMI (sensitivity = 0.741, specificity = 0.906) and NRI (sensitivity = 0.963, specificity = 0.601) had high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing low muscle mass, with critical values of 19.85 and 114.177 for BMI and NRI, respectively. The oedema index was the most effective measure of body composition in detecting abnormal fluid retention with high sensitivity (92.6%) and moderate specificity (71.8%) in identifying individuals with low muscle mass. Notably, PLWH with low muscle mass participants had a significantly higher prevalence (92.6%) of a high oedema index compared with those with normal muscle mass (28.2%). This observation indicates that individuals with HIV who experience reduced muscle mass is commonly accompanied with abnormal fluid retention within the body.

CONCLUSIONS

Antiretroviral medication types, specifically Zidovudine, BMI and NRI can be independent risk factors for low muscle mass in men with HIV. These factors, along with BMI, could be used conveniently to predict low muscle mass. Furthermore, the association between the oedema index and muscle mass suggests that observing signs of oedema may indicate a risk of low muscle mass in PLWH.

Association between geriatric nutritional risk index and cognitive function in older adults with/without chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND

Cognitive impairment is highly prevalent among patients with chronic kidney disease, who face an increased risk of cognitive decline. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) and cognitive function in older individuals, both with and without chronic kidney disease (CKD).

METHODS

In this study, we analyzed data from 2728 participants in the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Cognitive function was measured using the Consortium to Establish a Registry for the Alzheimer's Disease Word Learning subtest (CERAD W-L), the animal fluency test (AFT), the digit symbol substitution test (DSST), and the global cognitive z-score. The GNRI, representing whole-body nutritional status, was calculated based on serum albumin, body weight, and ideal body weight. We employed weighted multiple linear regression analyses and subgroup analyses to assess the independent association of GNRI with cognitive function in CKD and non-CKD populations. Smoothing techniques were used to fit curves, and interaction tests were used to assess the robustness and specificity of the findings.

RESULTS

Our analyses revealed a significant positive association between higher GNRI levels and cognitive function in the older US population (for global z-score: β = 0.01; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.00, 0.01). This association remained consistent across various subgroup analyses, including those for different gender groups, age groups, smoking statuses, diabetes statuses, hypertension statuses, individuals with a BMI below 25, individuals who consumed alcohol, and non-Hispanic white individuals. Smoothed curve-fitting analyses indicated that the GNRI was linearly related to cognitive function. No statistically significant interactions were detected among these variables.

CONCLUSION

Our findings emphasize the positive association between GNRI and cognitive health in individuals with or without CKD, especially when combined with other risk factors. Consequently, enhancing the nutritional status of the elderly may serve as a viable strategy to thwart the onset of cognitive decline.

The geriatric nutritional risk index is related to adverse hospitalization outcomes in individuals undergoing cardiac surgery

Malnutrition is linked to adverse outcomes in post-cardiac surgery patients. This study investigates the correlation between the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) and adverse hospital outcomes in patients following cardiac surgery. This retrospective study included elderly patients with heart disease who were admitted to the Department of Cardiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital from January 2020 to December 2022. Patients were divided into two groups based on the cut-off value (98 g/dL). Data from 407 patients were assessed, with 278 (68.3%) classified as having nutritional risk and 129 (31.7%) as having no nutritional risk. Notable distinctions were observed in body weight, BMI, and left ventricular ejection fraction (P < 0.05). Laboratory indicators indicated lower levels of serum albumin, lymphocytes, red blood cells, hemoglobin, admission blood glucose, and admission triglyceride in the nutritional risk group (P < 0.05). Neutrophils and serum creatinine were higher in the nutritional risk group (P < 0.05). Poor prognosis was prevalent in the nutrition risk group (64.7%), with higher incidences of adverse outcomes (P < 0.05). Univariate and multivariate studies showed that GNRI < 98 g/dL was an independent predictor of postoperative cardiac surgery. Nutritional risk was an important predictor of adverse hospital outcomes after the surgery.

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.

Significance of Nutritional-Inflammatory Index as Predictors for Total Neoadjuvant Therapy-Induced Tumor Regression in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Patients

Purpose

To evaluate the predictive capacity of the nutritional-inflammatory index and clinicopathological characteristics in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) receiving total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT).

Methods

Data from 127 patients with LARC receiving TNT from January 2017 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinicopathological characteristics with different TNT-induced responses were compared. The Chi-square test and the Mann-Whitney test were used to analyze the association between pre-TNT factors and TNT-induced responses. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to construct a predictive model.

Results

In the cohort of 127 patients with LARC who underwent total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT), the mean age was 54.1 ± 11.4 years; 88 (69.3%) were male. Seventy patients (55.1%) exhibited a favorable response to TNT, while 57 patients (44.9%) demonstrated a poor response. Tumor characteristics, including diameter, distance from the anal verge, pre-TNT lymphocyte, pre-TNT hemoglobin, CA199, PLR, and HALP, exhibit correlations with TNT-induced tumor regression. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified large tumor diameters (> 5.0 cm; p = 0.005, HR 2.958; 95% CI 1.382-6.335) and low HALP (≤ 40; p = 0.002, HR 0.261; 95% CI 0.111-0.612) as predictors of TNT-induced poor responses. Additionally, low levels of HALP were associated with an increased risk of recurrence in patients with LARC with TNT, but this was not statistically significant (p = 0.087, HR 2.008, 95% CI 0.906-4.447).

Conclusion

A large tumor diameter and low HALP predict poor tumor regression induced by the CAPOX-based TNT regimen in patients with LARC.

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.

Prognostic impact of pretreatment skeletal muscle index and CONUT score in diffuse large B-cell Lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Although the prognostic value of the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has been reported in several previous studies, its clinical relevance for the presence of sarcopenia has not been assessed.

METHODS

In this study, 305 DLBCL patients were reviewed. They were categorized into normal/mild (n = 219) and moderate/severe (n = 86) CONUT groups. Sarcopenia was assessed using the L3-skeletal muscle index measured by baseline computed tomography imaging. Based on CONUT score and sarcopenia, patients were grouped: A (normal/mild CONUT and no sarcopenia), B (either moderate/severe CONUT or sarcopenia, but not both), and C (both moderate/severe CONUT and sarcopenia).

RESULTS

The moderate/severe CONUT group showed higher rates of ≥ grade 3 febrile neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, non-hematologic toxicities, and early treatment discontinuation not related to disease progression, compared to the normal/mild CONUT group. The moderate/severe CONUT group had a lower complete response rate (58.1% vs. 80.8%) and shorter median overall survival (18.5 vs. 162.6 months) than the normal/mild group. Group C had the poorest prognosis with a median survival of 8.6 months, while groups A and B showed better outcomes (not reached and 60.1 months, respectively). Combining CONUT score and sarcopenia improved the predictive accuracy of the Cox regression model (C-index: 0.763), compared to the performance of using either CONUT score (C-index: 0.754) or sarcopenia alone (C-index: 0.755).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the moderate/severe CONUT group exhibited treatment intolerance, lower response, and poor prognosis. Additionally, combining CONUT score and sarcopenia enhanced predictive accuracy for survival outcomes compared to individual variables.

Can Nutrition Contribute to a Reduction in Sarcopenia, Frailty, and Comorbidities in a Super-Aged Society?

Many countries are facing the advent of super-aging societies, where sarcopenia and frailty will become pertinent problems. The prevalence of comorbidities is a major problem in countries with aged populations as elderly people suffer from various diseases, such as diabetes, heart failure, chronic kidney disease and dementia. All of these diseases are associated with sarcopenia and frailty, and they frequently cause falls, fractures, and a decline in activities of daily living. Fractures in the elderly people are associated with bone fragility, which is influenced by diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Nutritional support for chronic disease patients and sarcopenic individuals with adequate energy and protein intake, vitamin D supplementation, blood glucose level management for individuals with diabetes, obesity prevention, nutritional education for healthy individuals, and the enlightenment of society could be crucial to solve the health-related problems in super-aging societies.