Association between Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score and neurocognitive dysfunction in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis: a cross-sectional study


Özer Şensoy N. N., USTA M., Emre T., Koruk D.

Renal Failure, cilt.48, sa.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 48 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1080/0886022x.2026.2716552
  • Dergi Adı: Renal Failure
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Directory of Open Access Journals, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: CONUT score, cognitive impairment, malnutrition, peritoneal dialysis, Montreal Cognitive Assessment
  • Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

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.