Association between preoperative nutritional risk assessed by geriatric nutritional risk index and emergence…

ObservationalBMC geriatrics· Apr 2026

Association between preoperative nutritional risk assessed by geriatric nutritional risk index and emergence delirium in elderly patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery.

Yi Zhao, Shu-Ting He, Yan Zhang, Jia-Hui Ma

Perioperative MedicineObservationalPrognosisQ1IF 4.5

Preoperative nutritional risk linked to nearly double the odds of emergence delirium

Association between preoperative nutritional risk assessed by geriatric nutritional risk index and emergence delirium in elderly patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery.

Yi Zhao … Jia-Hui Ma

BMC geriatrics · Apr 2026

Background

Emergence delirium (emergence delirium) is a common complication in elderly surgical patients.

Purpose

This study evaluated the association between preoperative nutritional risk, assessed by the objective Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index), and emergence delirium in elderly patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery.

Methods

This secondary analysis of a prospective observational study included patients aged 65–90 years undergoing elective non-cardiac surgery.

n = 915 patients

Results

nutritional risk nearly doubles the odds of emergence delirium

OR 1.80 (95% CI 1.25 to 2.59)

null 1

1.25

2.59

CI excludes the null - significant

More results

Of 915 patients, 20.0% (183/915) were at nutritional risk based on Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index.

No significant independent association was found between nutritional risk and postoperative delirium or non-delirium complications.

“

Conclusion · 1 of 3

Preoperative nutritional risk identified by the objective Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index is independently associated with an increased risk of emergence delirium and prolonged hospitalization in elderly patients.

Conclusion · 2 of 3

Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index serves as a valuable, specific screening tool for risk stratification in this population.

Conclusion · 3 of 3

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATIONS: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR-OOC-17012734, September 19, 2017)

Association between preoperative nutritional risk assessed by geriatric nutritional risk index and emergence delirium in elderly patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery.

Association between preoperative nutritional risk assessed by geriatric nutritional risk index and emergence delirium in elderly patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery.

Related papers