Clinical significance of preoperative nutrition and inflammation assessment tools in gastrointestinal cancer patients undergoing surgery: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundMalnutrition and inflammation are associated with poorer surgical outcomes in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. However, it is still debated which parameters should be used to assess nutritional and inflammatory status. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic ro...

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Main Authors: Valentina Casalone, Sara Erika Bellomo, Enrico Berrino, Simona Bo, Enrica Favaro, Alfredo Mellano, Elisabetta Fenocchio, Caterina Marchiò, Anna Sapino
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Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Nutrition
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1551048/full
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author Valentina Casalone
Sara Erika Bellomo
Enrico Berrino
Enrico Berrino
Simona Bo
Enrica Favaro
Alfredo Mellano
Elisabetta Fenocchio
Caterina Marchiò
Caterina Marchiò
Anna Sapino
Anna Sapino
author_facet Valentina Casalone
Sara Erika Bellomo
Enrico Berrino
Enrico Berrino
Simona Bo
Enrica Favaro
Alfredo Mellano
Elisabetta Fenocchio
Caterina Marchiò
Caterina Marchiò
Anna Sapino
Anna Sapino
author_sort Valentina Casalone
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundMalnutrition and inflammation are associated with poorer surgical outcomes in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. However, it is still debated which parameters should be used to assess nutritional and inflammatory status. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic role of specific parameters in predicting postoperative outcomes in this specific subgroup of patients.MethodsThis retrospective study included 391 adult patients. Malnutrition risk, was assessed by preoperative validated Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) score ≥2, lymphocyte count <900 n/mm3, albumin value <3.5 g/dL or a combination of the previous two parameters, the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) < 45; inflammation was evaluated using preoperative Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) > 5, Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) > 150 and Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte Ratio (LMR) < 5. Statistical analysis was carried out using Univariate and Multivariate Analysis and General Linear Models.ResultsPatients with higher preoperative MUST score (p < 0.0001), lower albumin level (p = 0.0002) or lower PNI (p = 0.002) had a greater need for parenteral nutrition support and a longer hospital stay was reported in patients with higher MUST score (p < 0.0001), lower albumin (p < 0.0001), lower PNI (p = 0.0002), higher NLR (p = 0.005) or lower LMR (p = 0.027). Complications were more common in patients with a higher MUST score (p = 0.029), lower albumin (p = 0.008) or lower PNI (p = 0.006). A MUST score ≥ 1 or a PNI < 45 was associated with a two-fold risk of postoperative complications (p = 0.008; p = 0.001), whereas albumin levels <35 g/L were correlated with a Three-fold risk of postsurgical complications (p = 0.008). OS was also worse in patients with higher MUST score (p = 0.004), PNI (p = 0.031) or NLR (p = 0.0002), with a three-fold risk of not surviving at 1 year in patients with a MUST score ≥2 (p = 0.003) or NLR ≥ 5 (p = 0.0003). Using general linear models for repeated measures, a preoperative MUST score >1 or albumin levels < 35 mg/dL was associated with lower postoperative erythrocyte cells and hemoglobin levels. Multivariate analysis confirmed MUST score, PNI and NLR as independent prognostic factors for survival or postoperative complications.ConclusionThe presence of preoperative malnutrition and/or inflammation is associated with worse postoperative outcomes in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Early nutritional assessment, including all the above parameters, may allow more tailored intervention to reduce the risk of adverse postoperative outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-76f95121147b4c95913f4e4ec57382a42025-08-20T03:07:54ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-05-011210.3389/fnut.2025.15510481551048Clinical significance of preoperative nutrition and inflammation assessment tools in gastrointestinal cancer patients undergoing surgery: a retrospective cohort studyValentina Casalone0Sara Erika Bellomo1Enrico Berrino2Enrico Berrino3Simona Bo4Enrica Favaro5Alfredo Mellano6Elisabetta Fenocchio7Caterina Marchiò8Caterina Marchiò9Anna Sapino10Anna Sapino11Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Unit, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, ItalyPathology Unit, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, ItalyPathology Unit, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, ItalyDepartment of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, ItalyDepartment of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, ItalyDepartment of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, ItalyColorectal Surgical Unit, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, ItalyDepartment of Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, ItalyPathology Unit, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, ItalyDepartment of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, ItalyPathology Unit, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, ItalyDepartment of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, ItalyBackgroundMalnutrition and inflammation are associated with poorer surgical outcomes in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. However, it is still debated which parameters should be used to assess nutritional and inflammatory status. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic role of specific parameters in predicting postoperative outcomes in this specific subgroup of patients.MethodsThis retrospective study included 391 adult patients. Malnutrition risk, was assessed by preoperative validated Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) score ≥2, lymphocyte count <900 n/mm3, albumin value <3.5 g/dL or a combination of the previous two parameters, the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) < 45; inflammation was evaluated using preoperative Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) > 5, Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) > 150 and Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte Ratio (LMR) < 5. Statistical analysis was carried out using Univariate and Multivariate Analysis and General Linear Models.ResultsPatients with higher preoperative MUST score (p < 0.0001), lower albumin level (p = 0.0002) or lower PNI (p = 0.002) had a greater need for parenteral nutrition support and a longer hospital stay was reported in patients with higher MUST score (p < 0.0001), lower albumin (p < 0.0001), lower PNI (p = 0.0002), higher NLR (p = 0.005) or lower LMR (p = 0.027). Complications were more common in patients with a higher MUST score (p = 0.029), lower albumin (p = 0.008) or lower PNI (p = 0.006). A MUST score ≥ 1 or a PNI < 45 was associated with a two-fold risk of postoperative complications (p = 0.008; p = 0.001), whereas albumin levels <35 g/L were correlated with a Three-fold risk of postsurgical complications (p = 0.008). OS was also worse in patients with higher MUST score (p = 0.004), PNI (p = 0.031) or NLR (p = 0.0002), with a three-fold risk of not surviving at 1 year in patients with a MUST score ≥2 (p = 0.003) or NLR ≥ 5 (p = 0.0003). Using general linear models for repeated measures, a preoperative MUST score >1 or albumin levels < 35 mg/dL was associated with lower postoperative erythrocyte cells and hemoglobin levels. Multivariate analysis confirmed MUST score, PNI and NLR as independent prognostic factors for survival or postoperative complications.ConclusionThe presence of preoperative malnutrition and/or inflammation is associated with worse postoperative outcomes in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Early nutritional assessment, including all the above parameters, may allow more tailored intervention to reduce the risk of adverse postoperative outcomes.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1551048/fullnutritional toolsmalnutritioninflammationgastrointestinal cancercancer surgerynutritional status
spellingShingle Valentina Casalone
Sara Erika Bellomo
Enrico Berrino
Enrico Berrino
Simona Bo
Enrica Favaro
Alfredo Mellano
Elisabetta Fenocchio
Caterina Marchiò
Caterina Marchiò
Anna Sapino
Anna Sapino
Clinical significance of preoperative nutrition and inflammation assessment tools in gastrointestinal cancer patients undergoing surgery: a retrospective cohort study
Frontiers in Nutrition
nutritional tools
malnutrition
inflammation
gastrointestinal cancer
cancer surgery
nutritional status
title Clinical significance of preoperative nutrition and inflammation assessment tools in gastrointestinal cancer patients undergoing surgery: a retrospective cohort study
title_full Clinical significance of preoperative nutrition and inflammation assessment tools in gastrointestinal cancer patients undergoing surgery: a retrospective cohort study
title_fullStr Clinical significance of preoperative nutrition and inflammation assessment tools in gastrointestinal cancer patients undergoing surgery: a retrospective cohort study
title_full_unstemmed Clinical significance of preoperative nutrition and inflammation assessment tools in gastrointestinal cancer patients undergoing surgery: a retrospective cohort study
title_short Clinical significance of preoperative nutrition and inflammation assessment tools in gastrointestinal cancer patients undergoing surgery: a retrospective cohort study
title_sort clinical significance of preoperative nutrition and inflammation assessment tools in gastrointestinal cancer patients undergoing surgery a retrospective cohort study
topic nutritional tools
malnutrition
inflammation
gastrointestinal cancer
cancer surgery
nutritional status
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1551048/full
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