Clinical Significance of Prognostic Nutrition Index in Patients with Crohn's Disease after Primary Bowel Resection

Purpose: Although advancements in medical treatments have been made, approximately half of patients with intestinal Crohn's disease (CD) require intestinal resections during their lifetime. It is well-known that the nutritional status of CD patients can impact postoperative morbidity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in patients with intestinal CD who underwent primary bowel resection.

Materials and methods: We retrospectively investigated patients who were diagnosed with CD and underwent intestinal surgery at Severance Hospital between January 2005 and October 2018. The patients were divided into two groups: PNI ≤40 (n=150) and PNI >40 (n=77). We assessed the clinical significance of PNI in terms of the incidence of postoperative infectious complications (PICs) and the postoperative recurrence of CD.

Results: The low PNI group had significantly higher rates of infectious complications (32.0% vs. 10.4%, p=0.001) compared to the high PNI group. Multivariable analysis identified low PNI (≤40) and longer operation time (>180 min) as independent risk factors associated with PICs [odds ratio (OR)=2.754, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.140-6.649, p=0.024; OR=2.986, 95% CI=1.451-6.143, p=0.003]. PICs were significantly associated with surgical recurrence (hazard ratio=2.217, 95% CI=1.064-4.617, p=0.034).

Conclusion: Preoperative PNI could serve as a predictive factor for PICs in CD patients who undergo intestinal resection. Additionally, PICs are significantly associated with a higher risk of surgical recurrence in CD.