Low Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index Predicts Early Complications following Distal Radius Fracture Open Reduction...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Geriatric Medicine
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Previous research explored the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) and functional outcomes post-distal radius fracture (DRF).
• Large-scale studies on GNRI and postoperative outcomes after DRF were lacking.
• This study addresses the gap by examining GNRI's association with early outcomes following DRF surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between preoperative GNRI and 30-day postoperative complications.
• To assess malnutrition risk using GNRI in patients undergoing DRF open reduction internal fixation (ORIF).

Main Methods:

• Utilized the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (2015-2021).
• Categorized patients into three GNRI groups: normal (>98), moderate (92-98), and severe (<92) malnutrition.
• Employed logistic regression to analyze the relationship between GNRI and postoperative complications.

Main Results:

• Severe malnutrition was independently associated with increased odds of overall complications (OR: 3.22).
• Significant associations were found between severe malnutrition and sepsis (OR: 15.41), cardiac events (OR: 20.58), pulmonary embolism (OR: 9.40), and surgical site infections (OR: 7.73).
• Severe malnutrition also predicted non-home discharge (OR: 2.55), readmission (OR: 2.47), and extended length of stay (OR: 3.51).

Conclusions:

• Preoperative malnutrition is a significant independent predictor of early postoperative complications after DRF ORIF.
• GNRI serves as a valuable tool for identifying patients at higher risk for adverse outcomes.
• These findings highlight the importance of nutritional status assessment in orthopedic surgical patients.