Preoperative nutritional status in vascular surgery inpatients

Objective This study aimed to assess the preoperative nutritional status of patients admitted to the vascular surgery clinic using the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) and further explore related risk factors, to provide a basis for clinical nutritional management. Methods This cross-sectional study included inpatients admitted to the Department of Vascular Surgery of the Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from October 2021 to March 2022. We retrospectively collected preoperative clinical data of these patients and applied the GLIM criteria to analyze their risk of malnutrition. A total of 113 vascular surgery patients were included, with a mean age of 68.76 ± 11.77 years. Among these, 31 inpatients were classified into the malnourished group, while 82 were in the well-nourished group. Results Compared with the well-nourished group, inpatients in the malnourished group were characterized by an older age, lower body mass index, and a higher incidence of cerebrovascular disease. Additionally, they exhibited lower hemoglobin and albumin levels, reduced pre-albumin, and a greater prevalence of arteriosclerosis obliterans in the lower limbs or gangrene. Multivariable analysis showed that age ≥ 70 years (OR = 4.57, 95% CI: 1.34–15.64, p = 0.015), gangrene (OR = 6.55, 95% CI: 2.14–20.07, p = 0.001), and cerebrovascular diseases (OR = 6.04, 95% CI: 2.01–18.14, p = 0.001) were independently associated with malnutrition. Conclusions The risk of malnutrition in patients admitted to the vascular surgery clinic was relatively high. Special attention should be given to inpatients over 70 years old, with gangrene or cerebrovascular diseases. This study highlights the importance of routine nutritional screening and assessment using the GLIM criteria in this high-risk population. Early identification and targeted nutritional intervention for high-risk patients are recommended to improve surgical outcomes.