The geriatric nutritional risk index predicts complications after nephrectomy for renal cancer

Carlos Riveros, Victor Chalfant, Soroush Bazargani, Mark Bandyk, Kethandapatti Chakravarthy Balaji

We examined if malnutrition, as defined by the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), is independently associated with 30-day postoperative complications in patients undergoing nephrectomy for the treatment of renal cancer. Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2006-2019, we identified patients ≥65 years old who underwent nephrectomy for renal cancer. The following formula for GNRI was used to define preoperative nutritional status: 1.489 x serum albumin (g/L) + 41.7 x (current body weight [kg]/ ideal body weight [kg]). Based on the GNRI, patients were classified as having no (> 98), moderate (92-98), or severe malnutrition (< 92). After adjusting for potential confounders, multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between GNRI and 30-day postoperative complications. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported. A total of 7,683 patients were identified, of which 1,241 (16.2%) and 872 (11.3%) had moderate and severe malnutrition, respectively. Compared to normal nutrition, moderate and severe malnutrition were significantly associated with a greater odds of superficial surgical site infection, progressive renal insufficiency, readmission, extended length of stay, and non-home discharge. Severe malnutrition was also associated with urinary tract infection (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.31-3.35) and septic shock (OR 2.93, 95% CI 1.21-7.07). Malnutrition, as defined by a GNRI ≤ 98, is an independent predictor of 30-day complications following nephrectomy. The GNRI could be used to counsel elderly patients with renal cancer prior to nephrectomy.