Preoperative nutritional status assessed using the CONUT tool and its relationship with the appearance of major postoperative complications

• Published in: Revista española de anestesiología y reanimación (English ed.) 2022-06, Vol.69 (6), p.345-350
• Main Authors: Mjertan, A., Méndez Hernández, R., Hernández-Aceituno, A., Ramasco Rueda, F., Planas Roca, A., Santa Cruz Hernando, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2341-1929; 2341-1929
• DOI: 10.1016/j.redare.2021.05.014

INTRODUCTIONMalnutrition is a risk factor for the appearance of major postoperative complications; therefore, early identification and perioperative optimization of surgical patients may improve postoperative outcomes. The objective of our study was to determine the prevalence of moderate or high under nutrition alerts in patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgery, and their relationship with the appearance of major postoperative complications. Nutritional status was calculated using the CONUT tool. MATERIAL AND METHODSA retrospective observational study in 190 patients who underwent major non-cardiac surgery over two consecutive years. Preoperative nutritional status was calculated using CONUT, and the patients' medical records were reviewed to determine their epidemiological characteristics and major complications. RESULTSThe under nutrition alert was moderate in 17% of patients, and high in 10%. A high under nutrition alert was an independent risk factor for treatment with vasoactive drugs (OR 3.58; 95% CI 1.18-10.89; p = 0.025), respiratory support (OR 7.63; 95% CI 1.25-46.43; p = 0.027), renal support (OR 23.29; 95% CI 2.0-271.08; p = 0.012), prolonged hospital stay (Coef 20.16; 95% CI 2.10-38.22; p = 0.029) and higher in-hospital mortality (OR 7.15; 95% CI 1.31-39.02; p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONSIn total, 10% of patients who underwent major non-cardiac surgery presented serious preoperative deterioration in their nutritional status. A high under nutrition alert was an independent risk factor for the appearance of major postoperative complications.