Correlation of the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) With Other Indicators of Nutrition in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients

Background

The GNRI (Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index1) is an index used in geriatrics to predict the risk of complications and mortality associated with malnutrition. It considers serum albumin levels and the ratio of current weight or BMI to the ideal theoretical weight/BMI.

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate this index in a population of metabolically stable chronic hemodialysis patients aged > 60 years and associate it with other nutritional markers.

Methods

The studied patient cohort was divided into two groups based on their Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) scores: Gr 1 with GNRI score < 97 and Gr 2 with GNRI ≥ 97. We registered the anthropometric, clinical, and biological data of the study population.

Results

One hundred seventy-seven patients (102 M-75F) undergoing chronic hemodialysis were included. There were no differences in age, muscle mass estimated by bioimpedance analysis, potassium levels, phosphorus levels, and nPCR between the groups. However, there were significant differences between the two groups concerning the primary disease. Gr 1 presented with a higher prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular comorbidities. Additionally, Gr 1 presented with lower handgrip strength (Mean ± standard deviation in kg, 19.79 ± 9.37 vs. 26.83 ± 11.63, p = 0.05), lower fat mass index estimated by bioimpedance analysis (Mean ± standard deviation in kg/m2, 7.31 ± 4.55 vs. 15.24 ± 6.47, p < 0.001), and higher CRP levels (Mean ± standard deviation in mg/l, 22.27 ± 23.49 vs. 8.13 ± 10.14, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the GNRI, an easy calculation tool for nutrition assessment, is associated with important nutritional status parameters in chronic hemodialysis patients.