Association Among Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index and Functional Prognosis in Elderly Patients with Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures

Background Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF) are common among the elderly, and malnutrition has also been identified as a poor prognostic factor in elderly patients with fractures. However, the relationship between nutrition status and functional prognosis in OVCF is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between nutritional status using geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), activities of daily living (ADL), and fall after fracture in patients with OVCF. Methods The clinical information of 187 conservatively treated OVCF patients was retrospectively examined. This information included: age, sex, body mass index, total number of drugs used for treatment at admission, bone mineral density, use of drugs for osteoporosis, fracture type, comorbidity severity, nutritional status, Barthel Index (BI), and fall after OVCF. Subjects were divided into two groups according to their GNRI. Propensity score matching was used to confirm factors affecting BI and falls after OVCF. Results Sixty-eight patients (36.4%) presented with malnutrition at fracture. According to multiple linear regression analysis, GNRI positively affected BI gain (beta = 0.283, 95% confidence interval [CI] - 122.2 to - 0.706, p = 0.001). Furthermore, on logistic regression analysis, fall after OVCF was associated with GNRI (odds ratio = 0.896, 95% CI 0.832-0.964, p = 0.003). Conclusions Malnutrition in elderly OVCF patients decreases the acquisition of ADL and increases fall risk. Improvement of nutritional status during OVCF treatment may lead to improvement of ADL and prevention of falls.

Automated summary

This study revealed that malnutrition was present in 36.4% of elderly patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF), and a good nutritional status was positively associated with activities of daily living (ADL) and fall risk after fracture. Improving nutritional status during OVCF treatment may lead to better ADL and reduced risk of falls.