Associations of the geriatric nutritional risk index and simplified geriatric nutritional risk index with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

PurposeThis study aimed to investigate the associations of the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) and the simplified Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (sGNRI) with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).MethodsWe assessed 161 patients with COPD and 947 healthy controls. The sGNRI was derived using the formula: serum albumin (g/dL) + 0.1 × body mass index (BMI, kg/m²). Primary outcomes included the BODE (body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, exercise capacity) index and hospital length of stay (LOS). The secondary outcome was the prevalence of COPD.ResultsMalnourished patients (GNRI <95.40 or sGNRI <5.89) exhibited lower BMI and albumin levels, as well as worse pulmonary function (all <i>p</i> < 0.05). GNRI (Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.945, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.903-0.989, <i>p</i> = 0.015) and sGNRI (OR = 0.413, 95% CI: 0.191-0.890, <i>p</i> = 0.024) were significantly associated with the severity of COPD in a multivariable-adjusted model. Subgroup analysis revealed stronger predictive performance of GNRI and sGNRI among males, non-hypertensive patients, and smokers (for sGNRI).ConclusionsCompared with GNRI, sGNRI may serve as a more practical tool for identifying malnutrition-related risk among patients with COPD.