- Malnutrition affected 42.6% of PD patients and correlated with lower albumin, lymphocytes, cholesterol, haemoglobin, Prognostic Nutritional Index, and MoCA.
- Higher CONUT scores were independently associated with poorer cognitive performance; multivariable analysis B = -0.580, β = -0.237, p = 0.022.
- The CONUT score may serve as a practical laboratory-based screening tool to identify PD patients at increased risk of early neurocognitive dysfunction.
Ren Fail. 2026 Dec;48(1):2716552. doi: 10.1080/0886022X.2026.2716552. Epub 2026 Aug 24.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is a common complication in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) and has been associated with adverse clinical outcomes, including neurocognitive dysfunction. The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score is an objective laboratory-based nutritional assessment tool; however, its relationship with cognitive performance in PD remains unclear. This study investigated the association between the CONUT score and neurocognitive performance in patients receiving maintenance PD.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 108 adults undergoing maintenance PD. Nutritional status was assessed using the CONUT score, and patients were classified as having normal nutritional status (CONUT 0-1) or malnutrition (CONUT ≥2). Cognitive performance was evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to identify factors independently associated with cognitive performance.
RESULTS: Of the 108 patients, 46 (42.6%) were classified as malnourished. Compared with those with normal nutritional status, malnourished patients had significantly lower serum albumin, lymphocyte count, total cholesterol, hemoglobin, Prognostic Nutritional Index, and MoCA, while C-reactive protein levels were higher (all p < 0.05). In multivariable analysis, a higher CONUT score was independently associated with lower MoCA scores (B = -0.580, β = -0.237, 95% CI: -1.073 to -0.087; p = 0.022).
CONCLUSIONS: Higher CONUT scores were independently associated with poorer neurocognitive performance assessed by the MoCA in patients undergoing PD. The CONUT score may serve as a practical screening tool for identifying patients at increased risk of early neurocognitive dysfunction.
PMID:42637701 | DOI:10.1080/0886022X.2026.2716552
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