The prognostic value of prognostic nutritional index and renal function indicators for mortality prediction in severe COVID-19 elderly patients: A retrospective study

Identifying prognostic factors in elderly patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is crucial for clinical management. Recent evidence suggests malnutrition and renal dysfunction are associated with poor outcome. This study aimed to develop a prognostic model incorporating prognostic nutritional index (PNI), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and other parameters to predict mortality risk. This retrospective analysis included 155 elderly patients with severe COVID-19. Clinical data and outcomes were collected. Logistic regression analyzed independent mortality predictors. A joint predictor "L" incorporating PNI, eGFR, D-dimer, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was developed and internally validated using bootstrapping. Decreased PNI (OR = 1.103, 95% CI: 0.78-1.169), decreased eGFR (OR = 0.964, 95% CI: 0.937-0.992), elevated D-dimer (OR = 1.001, 95% CI: 1.000-1.004), and LDH (OR = 1.005, 95% CI: 1.001-1.008) were independent mortality risk factors (all P