Background

The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), based on serum albumin levels and body index, is a simple nutrition-related risk assessment instrument.

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of GNRI in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed in-hospital and long-term adverse outcomes of 786 patients with STEMI. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on their GNRI score (≤ 98 vs> 98). Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression models were used to evaluate the prognostic value of the GNRI score in patients with STEMI.

Results

Of the patients enrolled, 78 (9.9%) died of cardiovascular disease during the median follow-up period of 12.4 (8.3–15.5) months. Patients with a GNRI score of 98 or lower had a higher incidence of bleeding, cardiogenic shock, infection, acute respiratory failure, malignant dysrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, and in-hospital mortality as well as a longer length of hospital stay (P<. 05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients with a lower GNRI score had lower cumulative survival (P<. 001), regardless of age group (elderly vs middle-aged) or sex. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that the adjusted hazard ratio of the GNRI score for cardiovascular death was 0.934 (95% confidence interval, 0.896–0.974; P=. 001).

Conclusion

The GNRI can be used to assess prognosis of patients with STEMI and to identify those who may benefit from further nutritional assessment and intervention.