Systematic review and meta-analysis links higher prognostic nutritional index to better survival in non-small cell lung cancer

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) among patients with non-small cell lung cancer who underwent curative lung resection. The authors synthesized data from 11 studies to evaluate how PNI levels relate to survival outcomes in this surgical population.

The primary finding indicates that a higher PNI is significantly associated with longer overall survival. The pooled analysis reported a hazard ratio of 0.79 with a 95% confidence interval of 0.72 to 0.87. Secondary outcomes included recurrence-free survival and cancer-specific survival, though specific effect sizes for these were not detailed in the provided data.

The authors explicitly state that the observed relationship represents an association and caution against inferring causation. Safety data, including adverse events or tolerability, were not reported in the source material. The review highlights the potential utility of PNI as a prognostic marker but emphasizes the need for further research to confirm clinical relevance.