OBJECTIVETo study the applied valuation of Onodera prognostic nutrition index (Onodera index) in elderly patients with colorectal cancer.

METHODSOnodera indexes of 163 elderly patients with colorectal cancer were calculated and these patients were divided into better-nourished group (Onodera index ≥45) and under-nourished group (Onodera index <45). Correlations of Onodera index with general data, operation type, postoperative complication, recovery of gastrointestinal function, clinicopathological feature and prognosis were analyzed. Cox proportional hazards model was also established to identify the independent prognostic factors for prognosis of elderly patients with colorectal cancer.

RESULTSPatients in better-nourished group had significantly higher radical resection rate [90.9% (70/77) vs. 62.8% (54/86), P<0.01], lower postoperative complication rate [17.1% (12/70) vs. 53.7% (29/54), P<0.01] and earlier postoperative defecation [(3.09±1.14) d vs. (3.43±1.98) d, P<0.05] than those in under-nourished group. Onodera index was found to be related to age, tumor location, tumor size, and operation type (all P<0.05). Better-nourished group had significantly better survival than worse-nourished group (5-year survival rate: 64% vs. 24%, P<0.01). Onodera index was identified as an independent prognostic factor for elderly patients with colorectal cancer (RR=0.888, 95%CI:0.800-0.985, P=0.025).

CONCLUSIONOnodera index is a valuable clinical marker in preoperative estimation as well as prognosis prediction for elderly patients with colorectal cancer.