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

Abstract

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.