The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index predicts postoperative complications and prognosis in elderly patients with colorectal cancer after curative surgery

Abstract Malnutrition has been considered to be associated with the prognosis of cancer. The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), based on serum albumin levels, present body weight, and ideal body weight, is a simple screening tool to predict the risk of nutrition-related morbidity and mortality in elderly patients. We aimed to evaluate whether preoperative GNRI was associated with postoperative complications and prognosis in elderly patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). We retrospectively enrolled 313 CRC patients aged ≥65 years after curative surgery and classified them into an all-risk GNRI (≤98) group and a no-risk GNRI (>98) group. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed overall survival was significantly worse in the all-risk GNRI group than in the no-risk GNRI group (P = 0.009). Multivariable analyses showed low GNRI (≤98) was an independent risk factor for postoperative complications (P = 0.048) and overall survival (P = 0.001) in the patients. Among the complications, the incidence of surgical site infection, in particular, was significantly higher in the all-risk GNRI group (P = 0.008). In conclusion, low preoperative GNRI (≤98) was associated with increased postoperative complications and poor prognosis. Preoperative GNRI can be used as an identifier for potential high-risk group of morbidity and mortality in elderly CRC patients.