Impact of nutritional status in patients with metastatic spinal tumors who underwent palliative surgery

Preoperative nutritional status significantly affects postoperative outcomes in patients with metastatic spinal tumors. Understanding the relationship between nutritional status and survival rates can help optimize treatment strategies and improve patient outcomes.

This retrospective study was performed on 57 patients who underwent palliative surgery between May 2009 and April 2023. Various indicators of nutritional status including the Japanese-modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (JmGPS), C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR), and prognostic nutrition index (PNI) were evaluated.

Results showed that a lower JmGPS and CAR and a higher PNI were associated with a longer survival after surgery. Patients with a JmGPS score of 0 had a better postoperative performance status, higher likelihood of postoperative chemotherapy, and a greater median survival (>1 year). Further, CAR and PNI were predictive indicators of a better postoperative performance status and the implementation of chemotherapy.

Assessing preoperative nutritional status can predict survival and postoperative outcomes in patients with metastatic spinal tumors. The current findings underscore the importance of nutritional assessment in optimizing treatment strategies and improving outcomes.