Geriatric nutritional risk index and quality of life among elderly hemodialysis patients: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Nutritional problems are considered one of the main complications of hemodialysis, and the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is a new instrument for assessing geriatric nutritional status. The present study sought to evaluate the relationship between the GNRI and quality of life (QOL) among elderly hemodialysis patients. In the present analytical cross-sectional study, 110 hemodialysis individuals were selected by applying a simple random sampling method, among whom 57 and 53 were males and females, respectively (mean: 70.3±6.93 years). Demographic characteristics, GNRI, and QOL status were determined. The data were analyzed using SPSS 20 software and descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, ANOVA, independent sample t-tests, and multiple linear regression analysis. The mean GNRI and mean total QOL were respectively obtained 93.903±11.067 and 20.95 ± 4.89. Among females, a significant direct relationship was observed between GNRI and total QOL (P = 0.010, r = 0.352), autonomy (P = 0.004, r = 0.389), and pleasure (P = 0.015, r = 0.333), while GNRI was not directly and significantly related to QOL in males (P = 0.161, r = 0.188). Due to the presence of a significant association between Geriatric GNRI and QOL among elderly hemodialysis patients, particularly among females, highlighting the importance of addressing nutritional status in optimizing well-being.