The Effect of PNI Score on Renal Prognosis and Graft Rejection After Kidney Transplantation

Background

Determining effective ways to make prognostic predictions after kidney transplantation of patients is essential for the management of patients. This study examines how the PNI score affects renal outcomes after kidney transplantation. The potential impact of PNI on renal function beyond the overall nutritional status was also examined.

Methods

In this retrospective study, 100 kidney transplant patients were divided into three groups according to PNI scores: low (<40), intermediate (40-45) and high (>45). Demographic characteristics, clinical parameters, serum creatinine levels, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and parenchymal thickness were evaluated. Logistic regression analysis was applied for the risk of graft rejection. Patients who were followed up for at least 6 months after kidney transplantation and had complete clinical data were included in the study. The mean follow-up period was 36 months (range: 6-60 months).

Results

There was no statistically significant correlation between PNI scores and renal function (P > .05). The mean creatinine level was 1.73 ± 1.11 mg/dL in the low PNI group and 1.37 ± 0.52 mg/dL in the high PNI group. Although this difference was close to the limit of statistical significance, it was not significant (P = .083). In logistic regression analysis, no significant effect of PNI score on graft rejection was observed (OR: 1.0015, 95% CI: 0.7975-1.2576, P = .9899). However, age (OR: 0.9247, P = .0347) and serum creatinine levels (OR: 2.8396, P = .0151) significantly affected the risk of graft rejection. No significant effect of PNI score on complication rates was observed.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that PNI score alone is not a sufficient predictor of renal prognosis and graft rejection risk after kidney transplantation. Factors such as age and serum creatinine levels were found to be more predictive of the risk of graft rejection.