Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) Score and Sarcopenia as Mutually Independent Prognostic Biomarkers in Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma

SIMPLE SUMMARY: While the controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score and sarcopenia are both objective indices of different aspects of a patient’s general condition, few studies have comprehensively examined their mutual relationship as prognostic factors. In the present, retrospective study, we examined this question using a cohort of 200 patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma (aUC). No significant association was found between the CONUT score and sarcopenia, and most patients with sarcopenic aUC had normal or only slightly impaired nutritional status. The CONUT score and sarcopenia were significant, mutually independent, prognostic biomarkers and they outperformed performance the status as a prognostic factor in our cohort. Incorporating the CONUT score, sarcopenia or both into current established prognostic models increased their predictive accuracy. Our study corroborated the prognostic relevance of the CONUT score and sarcopenia and suggested the importance of separately evaluating these prognostic biomarkers in patients with aUC. ABSTRACT: Background: While the controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score and sarcopenia are objective indices of different aspects of a patient’s general condition, few studies have comprehensively examined their mutual relationship in patients with advanced cancer. Methods: This retrospective study included 200 Japanese patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma (aUC). Sarcopenia was diagnosed using Prado’s definition. The CONUT score and sarcopenia were examined for their possible association, and their prognostic value was analyzed. Results: The CONUT score and sarcopenia were not significantly associated. While sarcopenia occurred in 168 patients (84%), more than half of them had normal or only slightly impaired nutritional status, as indicated by a CONUT score of 0–2. During follow-up (median: 13.3 months), 149 patients died. The CONUT score and sarcopenia were independent prognostic factors (hazard ratio 1.22 and 2.23, respectively; both p < 0.001), whereas performance status was not. Incorporating the CONUT score, sarcopenia, and both into Bajorin’s and Apolo’s prognostic models increased their concordance index as follows: 0.612 for Bajorin’s original model to 0.653 (+the CONUT score), 0.631 (+sarcopenia), and 0.665 (+both), and 0.634 for Apolo’s original model to 0.655 (+the CONUT score), 0.653 (+ sarcopenia), and 0.668 (+both). Conclusion: The CONUT score and sarcopenia were mutually independent in terms of their prognostic value in patients with aUC. These objective indices of a patient’s general condition may help in decision-making when considering treatment for patients with aUC.