Clinical Utility of the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index Before Surgical Intervention for Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study is to analyze the impact of the geriatric nutritional risk index (a patient nutritional assessment item) on the prognoses of epithelial ovarian cancer patients. METHODS: In this retrospective study conducted at a single hospital, we retrospectively analyzed 75 epithelial ovarian cancer patients who underwent surgical treatment at our hospital from 2010 to 2015. The geriatric nutritional risk index cut-off value was calculated using the receiver operating characteristic curve. Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of the calculated value. Kaplan-Meier curves were prepared for each group, and the difference in survival rates was calculated using the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to compare other factors that affect prognosis. RESULTS: The geriatric nutritional risk index was calculated to be 97.3. The survival rate was 61.9% for the group of patients with an index value > 97.3, and 39.4% for patients with an index value < 97.3 at 48 months (P < 0.001). A univariate analysis was performed with the following variables: age > 60 years, albumin level < 3.5 g/dL, body mass index < 22, presence of ascites, cancer antigen 125 level > 35 U/mL, type of tumor tissue, residual lesion, and geriatric nutritional risk index < 97.3. Albumin level, residual lesion, and geriatric nutritional risk index showed significant differences. A multivariate analysis was also performed, and only the geriatric nutritional risk index showed a significant difference (P = 0.0481). CONCLUSIONS: The geriatric nutritional risk index may have a strong influence on the prognoses of epithelial ovarian cancer patients. We recommend utilizing these findings in daily clinical practice and incorporating them into treatment strategies for epithelial ovarian cancer.