Which Nutritional Scoring System Best Predicts Transplant Outcomes in Allogeneic Stem Cell Recipients? A Comparison of Nutritional Risk Index, Prognostic Nutritional Index, and Controlling Nutritional Status.

Abstract

Objectives: Nutritional status significantly impacts outcomes in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Among various indices, the Nutritional Risk Index (NRI), Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), and Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) scores hold potential as prognostic tools. This study compares their predictive utility for transplant outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 41 patients who underwent their first allo-HSCT between October 2022 and July 2024. Nutritional scores were calculated using pre-transplant data, and their associations with mortality and non-relapse mortality (NRM) were assessed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and multivariable logistic regression were employed to evaluate predictive accuracy.

Results: The high CONUT score demonstrated the highest prognostic accuracy for mortality (AUC: 0.771, p=0.026) and NRM (AUC: 0.806, p=0.047). It was the sole independent predictor of mortality (OR: 2.180, p=0.028). Both the NRI (AUC: 0.737, p=0.040) and PNI (AUC: 0.803, p=0.008) were also associated with mortality but lacked independent predictive value. Higher CONUT scores correlated with increased mortality rates.

Conclusion: The CONUT score emerged as the most effective nutritional scoring system for predicting mortality in allo-HSCT patients. Its simplicity and integration of key clinical parameters make it a valuable tool for early risk stratification and targeted interventions. Further studies with larger cohorts are warranted to validate these findings and refine nutritional management strategies.