Higher Prognostic Nutritional Index linked to low prevalence of RA and subsequent mortality, finds study

The relationship between PNI and the prevalence of Rheumatoid arthritis and mortality among Rheumatoid arthritis patients was assessed using logistic and Cox regression models. Nonlinear associations were explored using restricted cubic splines (RCS). Results: Of 18,245 participants (mean 55.4 years, 49% female), 1901 had Rheumatoid arthritis, among whom (480/1899, 25%) died during a median follow-up period of 84 months. PNI was inversely associated with the likelihood of having Rheumatoid arthritis (odds ratio = 0.97, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.95–0.98). Compared to participants whose PNI was in the lowest quartile, those in other quartiles had a reduced likelihood of having Rheumatoid arthritis by 21-38% (Ptrend <0.01).

Cox regression analysis revealed an inverse association between PNI and all-cause mortality (hazard ratio = 0.95, 95%CI: 0.91–0.99). An L-shaped association was observed between PNI and the presence and all-cause mortality of Rheumatoid arthritis, with turning points occurring around the mean value of PNI. The presence and all-cause mortality of Rheumatoid arthritis was significantly reduced before the turning points of PNI and plateaued afterwards. In middle-aged and older adults, there is an inverse association between PNI and the presence and all-cause mortality of Rheumatoid arthritis.

Reference:

Wang, J., Zhu, R., Fang, H. et al. Association of prognostic nutritional index with the presence and all-cause mortality of rheumatoid arthritis: the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2018. BMC Public Health 24, 3281 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20795-0