Malnutrition Triples Death Risk in Atrial Fibrillation Patients, Study Finds

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Malnutrition ties to poor outcomes in some heart conditions. Researchers tested if nutritional status predicts death in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients using the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score. The results of the study were published in the BMC Cardiovascular Disorders.

This retrospective study tracked 2444 permanent AF patients admitted January 2021-June 2024. CONUT scores split them into low (n=2194, <5) and higher (n=250, 5-12) groups. Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses checked links to all-cause mortality.

Higher CONUT patients were older (74±12 vs 70.4±12.6 years, p<0.001) with more deaths (36.4% vs 11.3%, p<0.001). Cox analysis showed CONUT as independent mortality predictor (HR 3.56, 95% CI 2.76-4.58, p<0.001). ROC gave AUC 0.65 (95% CI 0.62-0.69, p<0.001) at cut-off 4.5 (sensitivity 67.4%, specificity 78.3%). Kaplan-Meier confirmed survival gap (p<0.001).

In this AF cohort, higher CONUT scores associated with increased mortality risk. Findings suggest nutritional screening potential, pending prospective validation studies.

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Key highlights

Higher CONUT score (5-12) linked to 36.4% mortality vs 11.3% in low group (p<0.001) among 2444 AF patients.
CONUT independently predicted all-cause death (HR 3.56, 95% CI 2.76-4.58, p<0.001).
Patients with elevated CONUT were older (74±12 vs 70.4±12.6 years, p<0.001).
ROC analysis showed AUC 0.65 with cut-off 4.5 (sensitivity 67.4%, specificity 78.3%).
Kaplan-Meier curves displayed significant survival differences between CONUT groups (p<0.001).

Source

Özmen M, Aydemir S, Altınkaya O, Aydın SŞ, Özkoç M, Aydınyılmaz F. Prognostic importance of nutritional status in patients with atrial fibrillation. BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2026;26(1):120. Published 2026 Jan 6. doi:10.1186/s12872-026-05504-6

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Retrospective study of 2444 AF patients links higher CONUT score (5-12) to 36.4% mortality vs 11.3% (p<0.001); independent predictor (HR 3.56, 95% CI 2.76-4.58).

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Mon, 02/09/2026 - 08:18

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