The Relationship Between Nutritional Status Control (CONUT) Score and Mortality in COVID-19 Infection

Year 2025, Volume: 5 Issue: 4, 113 - 120

Hüseyin Özkök , Şeyma Şenocak , Özlem Aktürk , Ahmed Cihad Genç , Deniz Çekiç , Yusuf Durmaz , Ahmed Bilal Genç , Selçuk Yaylacı

https://doi.org/10.56016/dahudermj.1737156

Abstract

Background: COVID-19, a transmissible disease, has prompted global emergency responses and contributed to widespread outbreaks. Nutritional status is critical in infection defense, as malnutrition elevates risk and mortality. The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score assesses nutritional health and prognosis. This study investigates the association between the CONUT score and mortality in COVID-19 patients.
Methods: Medical records of 502 COVID-19 patients over 18 at Sakarya University Hospital’s ICU from January to December 2021 were reviewed. Data included demographics, comorbidities, laboratory results, ICU interventions, and mortality. Nutritional status was assessed using the CONUT score based on serum albumin, cholesterol, and lymphocyte counts, ranging from 0 to 12, with classifications for normal to severe malnutrition. Chi-square tests were used to compare categorical variables between two groups.
Results: The study comprised 502 COVID-19 patients, with a 34.6% survival rate. Mean age was 69.9±14.4 years. The length of ICU stay differed significantly between survivors and non-survivors (p = 0.013). Albumin levels were significantly lower in the non-survivors (p=0.002). Vasoactive infusion, inotropes, APACHE-II, and SOFA
scores were significantly higher in non-survivors (p < 0.001). Mortality risk was significantly higher for vasopressor infusion, endotracheal intubation, and non-invasive ventilatory support (p<0.001). The CONUT score showed significant differences between survivors and non-survivors (p < 0.001), particularly between mild and moderate/severe malnutrition (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The CONUT score allows for early prognosis prediction in patients, enabling the treatment course to be tailored accordingly.

Keywords

Albumin , COVID-19 , Lymphopenia , Malnutrition , Prognosis

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