Prognostic Impact of the Pretreatment Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) Score in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is an aggressive thyroid cancer subtype with a poor prognosis. The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score, reflecting both immune and nutritional status, is a prognostic marker in several malignancies; however, its utility in ATC has not been established. We aimed to evaluate the predictive value of the pretreatment CONUT score in ATC and compare its prognostic utility with that of other nutritional indices, including the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) and Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed clinical characteristics, laboratory parameters, and survival outcomes of 156 patients with ATC at our institution between January 2004 and May 2024. Based on survival analysis, patients were categorized into low- and high-risk groups based on each nutritional index (CONUT score, PNI, GNRI) using optimal cut-off values. One-year survival differences were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank test. Independent predictors of 1-year mortality were identified using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: Optimal thresholds were 3, 42, and 102 for the CONUT score, PNI, and GNRI, respectively. Patients with CONUT scores ≥ 3 exhibited significantly higher 1-year mortality, compared with those with scores < 3. Multivariable analysis revealed that CONUT score ≥ 3, PNI ≤ 42, and GNRI ≤ 102 were independently associated with increased 1-year mortality risk. Incorporation of CONUT score ≥ 3 into the baseline prediction model significantly enhanced its discriminatory performance. Conclusions: These findings underscore the prognostic value of pretreatment immuno-nutritional assessment and support the integration of the CONUT score into early risk stratification strategies for patients with ATC.