Screening of the nutritional risk of patients with gastric carcinoma before operation by NRS 2002 and its relationship with postoperative results

Aim: To evaluate the nutritional risk of patients with gastric carcinoma using the methodologies of European Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002) and its relationship with postoperative results.

Methods: We prospectively evaluated the nutritional risk of 314 cases of gastric carcinoma patients in one center from 2004 to 2007 with NRS 2002, in accordance with China's normal body mass index (BMI), and observed its relationship with postoperative complications, mortality and length of hospital stay.

Results: Of 337 cases, 314 (93.1%) were suitable for assessment by NRS 2002.The number of patients with a score ≥ 3 was 125 before operation, comprising 39.8% of patients with gastric carcinoma. The rate of complications (26.2%) of the preoperative nutritional risk group (NRS 2002 score ≥ 3) was higher than those in the preoperative nutritional normal group (NRS 2002 score < 3) (P < 0.05). Assessed by multivariate logistics regression analysis, the odds ratio of developing complications was 2.366 (P < 0.05) and 2.277 (P < 0.05) by NRS 2002 score and clinicopathological stage, respectively. The correlation between length of hospital stay and nutritional risk was also assessed by Pearson correlation analysis. The Pearson coefficient was 0.177 (P = 0.002).

Conclusion: Preoperative nutrition score (NRS 2002) ≥ 3 predicted more postoperative complications and longer length of hospital stay. It indicated that preoperative nutritional support was necessary in patients with a preoperative nutritional score (NRS 2002) ≥ 3.