The association between the Controlling Nutritional Status Score and the severity of coronary artery disease in patients with stable angina pectoris

Background The Synergy between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with Taxus (SYNTAX) Score quantifies the complexity of coronary artery disease. The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score is a nutritional index linked to cardiovascular outcomes. This study investigates the correlation between SYNTAX Score and CONUT scores in stable angina pectoris (SAP). Methods This single-center, retrospective study included 259 patients with a first-time diagnosis of SAP who underwent coronary angiography. Patients were divided into low SYNTAX Score (≤22, n = 192) and high SYNTAX Score (>22, n = 67) groups. The CONUT score, derived from serum albumin, total lymphocyte count, and total cholesterol, was calculated for all patients. Results The median CONUT score was significantly higher in the high SYNTAX Score group (3 vs. 1; P < 0.001). Impaired nutritional status (CONUT ≥ 2) was more prevalent in the high SYNTAX Score group (71.6 vs. 37.5%; P < 0.001). A significant positive correlation was found between SYNTAX Score and CONUT score ( P < 0.001). A CONUT score more than 1.5 predicted high SYNTAX Score with 71.6% sensitivity and 62.5% specificity [area under the curve = 0.746, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.672–0.820, P < 0.001]. In multivariable analysis, diabetes mellitus [odds ratio (OR): 2.47, 95% CI: 1.27–4.83, P = 0.008] and CONUT score (OR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.32–1.95, P < 0.001) were independent predictors of high SS. Conclusion A significant positive correlation exists between SYNTAX Score and CONUT score in SAP patients, indicating that worse nutritional status is associated with more complex disease. Nutritional assessment should be integrated into risk evaluation.