Geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) predicts long-term survival and limb events in patients with peripheral artery disease

Background Geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) was developed as a “nutrition-related” risk index and was reported in different populations as associated with the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the associations of GNRI with mortality and amputation free survival in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Methods From January 2011 to June 2016, 295 consecutive patients (73.3±9.2 years; 75.6% male) with PAD undergoing endovascular treatment (EVT) in our hospital were retrospectively examined. The GNRI on admission was calculated as follows: 14.89 × serum albumin (g/dl) + 41.7 × body mass index (BMI)/22. Characteristics and mortality were compared between 2 groups: low GNRI (<92, n=110) with moderate or severe nutritional risk; and high GNRI (≥92, n=185) with no or low nutritional risk. Results The median follow up period was 39.4±26.4months. There were 85 deaths (28.8%) and 13 major amputation (4.4%) during the follow-up. Patients in the low-GNRI group were more often higher age, non-ambulatory state, hemodialysis and critical limb ischemia. BMI, serum hemoglobin, albumin, low-density lipoprotein were significantly lower, whereas serum C-reactive protein was significantly higher in the low-GNRI group than the high-GNRI group (P<0.05, respectively). Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that patients in the low-GNRI group had a significantly lower amputation free survival, compared to those in the high-GNRI group (log-rank test, P<0.001). Conclusion The low GNRI is associated with an increased risk of mortality and limb events in patients with PAD. Amputation-free survival (Kaplan-Meier)