Preoperative prognostic nutritional index and D-dimer score combo predicts outcome in colorectal cancer

The prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and D-dimer (DD) levels represent useful prognostic indicators in colorectal cancer (CRC); however, a combination of these indicators, namely, the PNI and DD score (PDS) was less addressed.

A retrospective study with 183 patients after curative surgery was conducted. Patients were divided into 3 subgroups: PDS 0, decreased PNI and increased DD levels; PDS 1, decreased or increased PNI and DD levels; PDS 2, increased PNI and decreased DD levels. The differences in disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared among these subgroups, and risk factors for outcome were determined.

Results

• A total of 56, 65 and 62 patients were assigned to the PDS 0, 1 and 2 subgroups, respectively. PDS was significant in predicting both the DFS and OS.

• PDS 0 patients were more likely to be associated with old age, laparotomy, elevated CEA, T3 + T4 and advanced TNM stage.

• PDS 0 patients had significantly inferior DFS and OS than PDS 1 or 2 patients.

• PDS was identified as an independent risk factor for both DFS and OS.

The PDS is a useful prognostic indicator for CRC patients after curative surgery, and PDS 0 patients have inferior survival. Additional future studies are needed to validate these findings.

Reference:

Zhu, S., Yin, J., Ye, Q. et al. Combined preoperative prognostic nutritional index and D-dimer score predicts outcome in colorectal cancer. BMC Surg 23, 30 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12893-023-01925-8