Correlation between geriatric nutritional risk index and vascular calcification in non-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients

Abstract

Objective To explore the correlation between geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) and vascular calcification in non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Methods One hundred and forty non-dialysis CKD patients from January 2016 to August 2017 were selected. Abdominal aortic calcification score was evaluated by lateral abdominal radiography, and the GNRI was calculated. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to the GNRI: non-nutritional risk group (37 cases), low nutritional risk group (34 cases), middle nutritional risk group (36 cases) and high nutritional risk group (33 cases). The risk factors leading to vascular calcification were analyzed statistically. Results The abdominal aortic calcification score in non-nutritional risk group, low nutritional risk group, middle nutritional risk group and high nutritional risk group was (3.58 ± 2.41), (10.50 ± 1.86), (16.25 ± 1.89) and (20.54 ± 1.92) scores, and there was statistical difference (P<0.05). Correlation analysis result showed that abdominal aortic calcification score was positively correlated with age and hypertension (r= 0.61 and 0.35, P= 0.001 and 0.003), and negatively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate and GNRI (r=- 0.36 and - 0.86, P= 0.002 and 0.000). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis result showed that age and GNRI were independent risk factors for abdominal aortic calcification in CKD patients (P<0.01). Conclusions GNRI is negatively correlated with vascular calcification in non-dialysis CKD patients. Strengthening nutritional management may prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. Key words: Nephrosis; Geriatric nutritional risk index; Vascular calcification