The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index predicts sarcopenia in patients with cirrhosis

Patients with cirrhosis are at high risk for sarcopenia and malnutrition, which are associated with reduced quality of life and increased mortality. We investigated the relationship between the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) and sarcopenia/gait speed and assessed the usefulness of the GNRI for predicting sarcopenia in patients with cirrhosis. We evaluated 202 patients with cirrhosis and divided them into three groups based on baseline GNRI values: low (L)-GNRI (< 94.0, n = 49), intermediate (I)-GNRI (between 94.0 and 109.5, n = 103), and high (H)-GNRI groups (> 109.5, n = 50). Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the criteria of the Japan Society of Hepatology. The prevalence of sarcopenia and slow gait speed was the lowest in the H-GNRI group (8.0% and 26.0%, respectively) and the highest in the L-GNRI group (49.0% and 44.9%, respectively). They increased stepwise with a decline in the GNRI group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.05, respectively). The GNRI values were significantly and positively correlated with handgrip strength, skeletal muscle mass index, and gait speed. Multivariate analysis identified lower GNRI as an independent risk factor for sarcopenia. The optimal cutoff value of the GNRI for predicting sarcopenia was 102.1 (sensitivity/specificity, 0.768/0.630). The GNRI was significantly associated with sarcopenia and physical performance and could be a helpful screening tool for predicting sarcopenia in patients with cirrhosis.