Malnutrition and adverse outcomes after spine surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Ahmed Ashraf, Aydin Kaghazchi, Gabriel Jelkin et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the impact of preoperative malnutrition on postoperative outcomes in spine surgery patients. Analyzing data from 37 studies involving 16,987 patients, the study found that malnutrition significantly increased the odds of mortality (OR: 4.05) and various complications, including delirium and infections, highlighting the need for nutritional assessment in perioperative care.
Key findings
- Malnutrition increased the odds of mortality by 4.05 (95% CI [2.97-5.54]).
- Patients with malnutrition had a 3.95 times higher odds of developing delirium (95% CI [2.49-6.27]).
- The odds of surgical complications were 1.79 times higher in malnourished patients (95% CI [1.57-2.04]).
- Malnourished patients had a 3.46 times higher odds of prolonged hospital stay (95% CI [2.57-4.65]).
Why it matters
Understanding the relationship between malnutrition and adverse surgical outcomes is crucial for improving patient care. This study underscores the importance of routine nutritional assessments to mitigate risks and enhance recovery in spine surgery patients.