Search Results (715)

Background: Atherogenic dyslipidemia is defined by the coexistence of high triglyceride concentrations, low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and an excess of small, dense particles of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). This lipid profile is strongly associated with an increased burden of cardiovascular disease and represents a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. To better capture this risk, composite lipid ratios—including total cholesterol to HDL-C (TC/HDL-C), LDL-C to HDL-C (LDL-C/HDL-C), triglycerides to HDL-C (TG/HDL-C), and the atherogenic dyslipidemia index (AD)—have emerged as robust markers of cardiometabolic health, frequently demonstrating superior predictive capacity compared with isolated lipid measures. Despite extensive evidence linking these ratios to cardiovascular disease, few large-scale studies have examined their association with sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, and social isolation in working populations. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of a large occupational cohort of Spanish workers evaluated between January 2021 and December 2024. Anthropometric, biochemical, and sociodemographic data were collected through standardized clinical protocols. Indices of atherogenic risk—namely the ratios TC/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, TG/HDL-C, and the atherogenic dyslipidemia index (AD)—were derived from fasting lipid measurements. The assessment of lifestyle factors included tobacco use, physical activity evaluated through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern using the MEDAS questionnaire, and perceived social isolation measured by the Lubben Social Network Scale. Socioeconomic classification was established following the criteria proposed by the Spanish Society of Epidemiology. Logistic regression models were fitted to identify factors independently associated with moderate-to-high risk for each lipid indicator, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: A total of 117,298 workers (71,384 men and 45,914 women) were included. Men showed significantly higher odds of elevated TG/HDL-C (OR 4.22, 95% CI 3.70–4.75) and AD (OR 2.95, 95% CI 2.70–3.21) compared with women, whereas LDL-C/HDL-C ratios were lower (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.83–0.89). Advancing age was positively associated with all lipid ratios, with the highest risk observed in participants aged 60–69 years. Lower social class, smoking, physical inactivity, poor adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and low social isolation scores were consistently linked to higher atherogenic risk. Physical inactivity showed the strongest associations across all indicators, with ORs ranging from 3.54 for TC/HDL-C to 7.12 for AD. Conclusions: Atherogenic dyslipidemia and elevated lipid ratios are strongly associated with male sex, older age, lower socioeconomic status, unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, and reduced social integration among Spanish workers. These findings highlight the importance of workplace-based cardiovascular risk screening and targeted prevention strategies, particularly in high-risk subgroups. Interventions to promote physical activity, healthy dietary patterns, and social connectedness may contribute to lowering atherogenic risk in occupational settings. Full article

Objectives: Neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) refer to a broad spectrum of conditions characterized by declining cognitive functions, such as memory, attention, language, and executive abilities. It is estimated that up to half of patients affected by NCDs remain undiagnosed or are diagnosed at an advanced stage of the disease. This study aimed to analyze the utility of subclinical organ damage markers, which could be used in primary care for the detection and prevention of NCD. Methods: The study participants (n = 137) completed neuropsychological tests (Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination/ACE and Mini-Mental State Examination/MMSE), a sociodemographic survey, an interview on past illnesses, and had their ankle-brachial index (ABI) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) values measured. Results: Based on the MMSE test, 26 participants (19.0%) were diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 8 participants (5.8%) with NCDs. The study found that lower ABI values were associated with worse cognitive performance, suggesting that the ABI may be a useful tool for identifying individuals at increased risk of NCDs, while PWV cannot be used as a predictor for this group of diseases. Conclusions: Lower ABI values were associated with reduced cognitive performance, whereas PWV showed no significant relationship. The secondary findings suggest that physical activity, regular computer use, and better mental well-being were linked to improved cognitive outcomes. A low ABI value could potentially serve as a predictor of cognitive disorders, and as a diagnostic tool that is easily accessible and quick, it may improve diagnostics and the overall health of primary care patients. Health education regarding modifiable risk factors for dementia is also of crucial importance. Full article

Background: Air pollution is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Although Southern Switzerland is considered a relatively low-pollution area, levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and particulate matter (PM₁₀) still exceed the latest WHO air quality guidelines. This study aimed to assess the association between long-term exposure to air pollutants, vascular aging, and body composition in a Swiss population sample. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 1202 participants from the Ticino Epidemiological Stiffness Study (2017–2018). Vascular health was assessed via pulse wave velocity (PWV), used to estimate vascular age. Body composition was evaluated through bioimpedance analysis, yielding fat mass index (FMI), body cellular mass (BCM), and body cellular mass index (BCMI). Individual exposure to NO₂ and PM₁₀ was estimated, using geocoded residential data and environmental monitoring records from 2002 to 2017. Statistical models were adjusted for major cardiovascular risk factors. Results: Higher exposure to NO₂ was significantly associated with increased vascular age (mean delta age: +0.53 years in the high exposure group) and adverse body composition markers, including higher FMI and lower BCM/BCMI. These associations remained significant after adjusting for confounders. PM₁₀ showed weaker associations, significant only in unadjusted models. Conclusions: Even in a relatively clean environment, exposure to NO₂ is linked to early vascular aging and unfavorable body composition. These findings reinforce the need for stricter air quality standards and underline the importance of continuous environmental health surveillance, even in regions considered low risk. Full article

Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare systems globally, with dental services significantly limited due to infection control measures. This study investigates the impact of the pandemic on the clinical presentation, management, and outcomes of odontogenic abscesses over three distinct periods. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at University Clinical Hospital (Poznan, Poland), which included adult patients hospitalised for odontogenic infections between March 2019 and February 2022. The cohort comprised 101 patients (median age: 33 years; 59.41% male), with admissions distributed across pre-pandemic (37.62%), pandemic (19.80%), and post-pandemic (42.57%) periods. Clinical, biochemical, and radiographic data were analysed. Results: No statistically significant differences were found between periods for abscess severity, hospitalisation length, or inflammatory marker levels. Elevated procalcitonin (Rs = 0.289, p = 0.005), C-reactive protein (Rs = 0.385, p < 0.001), and body mass index (Rs = 0.253, p = 0.011) independently predicted longer hospital stays. In regression modelling, procalcitonin (β = 0.464, p = 0.001) and prior outpatient antibiotic use (β = 0.281, p = 0.038) were mainly associated with larger abscess volumes, while comorbidities (β = 0.262, p = 0.025), longer hospitalisation (β = 0.594, p = 0.001) and abscess volume (β = −0.294, p = 0.040) increased the risk of reoperation. Conclusions: The study highlights clinically important findings linked to delayed dental care and increased systemic inflammation related to the pandemic. Elevated procalcitonin and CRP levels provide prognostic information that can guide early triage, risk stratification, and decisions regarding surgical versus outpatient management. These findings emphasise the importance of maintaining essential dental services, implementing preventive strategies, and optimising management protocols to reduce the risk of severe infections and improve patient outcomes during healthcare disruptions. Full article

The Mon Valley near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, consistently reports some of the poorest air quality in the United States. Recent studies have linked air pollution in this region to poor asthma outcomes but did not examine the impact on other respiratory conditions or vulnerable populations. This retrospective study examined the relationship between the air quality index (AQI) and respiratory exacerbations of asthma, bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the Mon Valley between January 2018 and February 2020. We linked daily Air Quality Index (AQI) values for ozone, PM_2.5, SO₂ and NO₂, plus temperature and wind speed to healthcare utilization for these conditions. Using a Poisson generalized linear model, we quantified the association between pollutant levels and same-day exacerbation rates, stratified analyses by age, sex and insurance type to identify vulnerable subgroups. Results indicated that higher AQI scores, driven primarily by PM_2.5 and SO₂, were significantly associated with increased asthma exacerbations on the day of exposure. Children and individuals with public insurance experienced the greatest impact. Bronchitis exacerbations showed a delayed response to SO₂. Our findings affirm PM_2.5 and SO₂ as key drivers of acute asthma events in the Mon Valley and extend this observation to include impacts on bronchitis and vulnerable populations. They also demonstrate the AQI’s value for public health surveillance and underscore the importance of tailored interventions such as issuing timely air quality alerts, strengthening emissions regulations and improving access to preventive care to protect at-risk populations from adverse air pollution effects. Full article

Background/Objectives: Breast cancer remains the most common malignancy among women worldwide, with many patients experiencing persistent psychological symptoms that extend beyond active treatment. Among these, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and depression frequently co-occur and can significantly impair quality of life and treatment adherence. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of poor sleep quality and examine its associations with anxiety and depression in a large cohort of Turkish women with breast cancer. Additionally, the study sought to identify sociodemographic and clinical predictors of sleep disturbance. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 601 women with histologically confirmed breast cancer who were undergoing or had completed active treatment were recruited from a tertiary oncology center in Turkey between January 2023 and December 2023. The mean age of participants was 54 years (range 25–83). More than half of the patients were postmenopausal (56.3%), and 6% had stage IV disease. Sleep quality and psychological distress were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and multivariate regression models were employed to identify significant predictors. Results: Poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5) was identified in 33.2% of participants. Patients with poor sleep reported significantly higher anxiety and depression scores (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that being single, having children, undergoing breast-conserving surgery, and elevated anxiety scores were independent predictors of poor sleep. Additionally, marital status, menopausal status, and treatment modality were significantly associated with anxiety and depression scores. Conclusions: One-third of Turkish breast cancer patients experience clinically relevant sleep disturbances, which are strongly linked to psychological distress, particularly anxiety. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating routine psychological screening into oncologic care and highlight the need for individualized psychosocial support strategies that aim to improve both emotional well-being and overall clinical outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: As the global population ages, cardiovascular disease (CVD) emerges as a critical challenge for public health, with chronic inflammation identified as a key contributing risk factor. As a modifiable lifestyle factor, diet plays a critical role in the prevention of CVD. Given the established link between diet and inflammation, clarifying the relationship between dietary inflammatory potential and cardiovascular health (CVH) is of significant public health importance. This study aimed to evaluate the association between dietary inflammatory potential and CVH in an elderly population, and to explore the related role of the gut microbiota. Methods: Dietary inflammatory potential was quantified using the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), CVH was assessed by the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) score, and gut microbiome analysis was profiled by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results: Results showed that higher DII scores, indicative of a pro-inflammatory dietary pattern, were significantly linked to reduced LE8 scores, suggesting an inverse association between dietary inflammatory potential and CVH. Based on the gut microbiome, participants with high CVH exhibited greater α diversity compared with those with low CVH, while both α and β diversity were higher in the anti-inflammatory diet group than in the pro-inflammatory diet group. These results indicate that anti-inflammatory diets may be associated with better CVH, possibly through the preservation of the ecological balance of the gut microbiota. Correlation analyses further pointed to several genera potentially associated with both dietary inflammatory potential and CVH. Functional predictions suggested that variation in dietary inflammatory potential could be linked to differences in microbial metabolic functions relevant to energy, lipid and glucose metabolism, and inflammatory processes. Conclusions: In conclusion, this study provides novel evidence linking dietary inflammatory potential, gut microbiota, and CVH in older adults, and offers preliminary insights for dietary interventions and microbiota-targeted strategies in CVD prevention. Full article

Background/Objectives: Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated disorder that may share pathogenic pathways with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). Although Western studies suggest a possible link between psoriasis and increased IBD risk, large-scale evidence from Asian populations remains limited and inconsistent. Using nationwide Korean cohort data, we aimed to investigate this association. Methods: In this retrospective, nested case–control study using the Korean National Health Insurance Service–National Sample Cohort (2002–2019), incident IBD cases were matched 1:4 to controls by age, sex, income, region, and index date. Psoriasis history prior to the IBD index date was identified using diagnostic codes. Overlap propensity score weighting balanced covariates, and weighted multivariable logistic regression estimated adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Among 10,966 IBD patients and 43,864 controls, psoriasis was associated with higher IBD risk (aOR 1.63; 95% CI, 1.38–1.93). The association was stronger for UC (aOR 1.77; 95% CI, 1.44–2.18) than for CD (aOR 1.37; 95% CI, 1.01–1.84). UC risk was elevated across most subgroups, whereas CD risk reached significance only in individuals < 45 years. Conclusions: In this large, nationally representative Korean cohort, psoriasis was linked to an increased risk of subsequent IBD, particularly UC. Although causality cannot be inferred, these findings may underscore the importance of considering possible gastrointestinal comorbidity in patients with psoriasis. Full article

Background and Objectives: Tibial tuberosity avulsion fractures are rare injuries in pediatric athletes, with limited data on the potential role of an elevated body mass index (BMI) as a risk factor. Previous studies have primarily focused on age, sex, and sport type, but the association between BMI and these injuries remains underexplored. Tibial tuberosity avulsion fractures are rare injuries predominantly affecting adolescent boys during sports activities involving strong quadriceps contractions. This pilot study aimed to analyze the epidemiological and anthropometric characteristics of patients with these fractures, including the distribution of injury mechanisms and the fracture types, to test whether the prevalence of overweight/obesity among cases exceeded national population benchmarks, and to describe the associated clinical outcomes. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on medical records and radiographs of patients under the age of 18 treated between 2017 and 2024. The data collected included demographic and anthropometric characteristics, injury mechanisms, fracture classification, treatment methods, complications, and outcomes. The patients were categorized as normal weight (<85th percentile) or overweight/obese (≥85th percentile). The primary outcome was whether the prevalence of overweight/obesity among the cases exceeded national pediatric benchmarks. Formal sample size and power analyses were performed to guide future research. Results: Twenty-one patients met the inclusion criteria, with a mean age of 13.7 years; 95.2% were male. Soccer was the most common injury mechanism (52.4%), followed by athletics and running. The predominant fracture type was Ogden IVb (38.1%). Overweight/obesity was present in 52.4% of the patients, significantly higher than the national benchmarks. An open reduction and internal fixation was performed in 90.5% of the cases, with a mean follow-up of 14.6 months (range: 6–36). Complications occurred in 14.3% overall, all within the overweight/obese group (27.3%). Conclusions: This pilot retrospective study suggests a potential link between an elevated BMI and tibial tuberosity avulsion fractures, with overweight/obesity being significantly more prevalent in affected patients than in the general pediatric population. These exploratory findings warrant confirmation in larger, adequately powered studies, and emphasize the importance of weight management and tailored sports activities as potential preventive strategies. An early diagnosis, timely surgical intervention, and adequate rehabilitation are critical for achieving optimal functional recovery. Full article

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and impaired nasal breathing are common in children and are frequently linked to maxillary constriction. Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) is an orthopedic treatment used to increase upper airway dimensions and improve respiratory function. It has been hypothesized that RME could contribute to improvements in behavior and cognition, possibly through enhanced sleep and respiratory function. It also promotes the shift from oral to nasal breathing, supporting craniofacial development and neuromuscular stability, and it is increasingly recognized as a multidisciplinary intervention that can improve pediatric health outcomes. With increasing evidence supporting its efficacy, RME should be considered not only for its orthodontic benefits but also as a multidisciplinary treatment option within pediatric care protocols. This underscores the importance of integrated care among orthodontists, ENT specialists, and pediatricians. Aim: To systematically assess the impact of RME on nasal respiratory parameters and sleep-disordered breathing, particularly OSAS, in pediatric patients. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review was conducted using 12 clinical studies evaluating anatomical and functional respiratory changes after RME in children with mouth breathing or OSAS. Parameters included airway volume (CBCT, cephalometry), nasal resistance (rhinomanometry), and polysomnography (PSG) data. Results: RME consistently resulted in significant increases in nasal cavity volume and upper airway dimensions. Multiple studies reported reductions in the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI), improved oxygen saturation, and better subjective sleep quality. Longitudinal studies confirmed the stability of these benefits. However, variability in study protocols limited meta-analytical comparison. Conclusions: RME is effective in enhancing nasal breathing and mitigating OSAS symptoms in children. While results are promising, further high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to validate these findings and guide standardized treatment protocols. Full article

Urban built environments in Chinese cities have increasingly been shown to not only influence human health outcomes but also promote sustainable urban development pathways. These health and sustainability advantages have had significant implications for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention and management. CVD represents a growing public health challenge in China’s rapidly urbanizing contexts. However, people living in poorly designed built environments receive less attention and tend to experience disproportionate cardiovascular health risks due to limited access to health-promoting environmental features. Therefore, this systematic review emphasizes the role of urban built environments in shaping cardiovascular health outcomes. Previous studies have highlighted the importance of spatial indicators, such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), green space ratio, walkability, and public open space, in influencing cardiovascular health. Using various common cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors as outcome measures, this review conducted a comprehensive literature search across CNKI, Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed. The search aimed to identify studies examining the associations between urban built environments and cardiovascular health outcomes, in order to synthesize and present the research progress in this field. Through this review, we find that physical activity serves as the key mediating mechanism linking built environment characteristics to cardiovascular outcomes. Based on this finding, this review argues that urban built environment design and sustainable urbanism should prioritize cardiovascular health considerations in the planning process, as this health-oriented approach has the greatest potential for advancing public health resources and moving cities closer to being truly sustainable and health-promoting environments. Full article

Background: Dyslipidemia, a significant modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), represents a major global health challenge, particularly influenced by complex genetic and environmental interactions, mainly in indigenous populations. Methods: In this study, DNA samples from 80 individuals belonging to various indigenous ethnic groups from northern and southern Mexico were analyzed to evaluate DNA methylation profiles and its correlation to lipid levels and other clinical parameters. Ten genes associated with metabolic changes were investigated using targeted bisulfite sequencing. Results: Our results revealed significant correlations between methylation in genes such as ABCA1, ADIPOQ, APOE, FSTL4, and KCNQ1 and clinical parameters including body mass index (BMI), lipid profiles, and body fat. Of the 151 CpG sites analyzed, 16 showed statistically significant correlations. Specifically, two ABCA1 CpGs sites correlated with BMI (p = 0.015) and triglycerides (p = 0.03); three ADIPOQ sites correlated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) (p = 0.03, p = 0.005, p = 0.04, respectively); one APOE site correlated with BMI (p = 0.04), another with total cholesterol (p = 0.004) and triglycerides (p = 0.03) and two more with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) (p = 0.02 and p = 0.005, respectively); one FSTL4 CpG site with body fat (p = 0.02), another with total cholesterol (p = 0.02), one more with HDLc (p = 0.01), and another one with triglycerides (p = 0.01); and two KCNQ1 CpG sites correlated with body fat (p = 0.01 and p = 0.04, respectively). Conclusions: These findings show potential novel biomarkers for dyslipidemia risk. This research highlights the importance of understanding methylation changes in indigenous populations for developing personalized interventions and prevention strategies that could improve healthcare by linking epigenetic factors to CVD risk. Full article

This paper develops a dynamic information-theoretic network framework to quantify systemic risk in China’s maritime–commodity nexus with a focus on the Yangtze River Basin using eight monthly indicators, CCFI, CBCFI, BDI, YRCFI, GAUP, MPCT, CPUS, and ASMC. We resample, impute, standardize, and difference series to achieve stationary time series. Nonlinear interdependencies are estimated via KSG mutual information (MI) within sliding windows; networks are filtered using the Planar Maximally Filtered Graph (PMFG) with bootstrap edge validation (95th percentile) and benchmarked against the MST. Average MI indicates moderate yet heterogeneous dependence (about 0.13–0.17), revealing a container/port core (CCFI–YRCFI–MPCT), a bulk/energy spine (BDI–CPUS), and commodity bridges via GAUP. Dynamic PMFG metrics show a generally resilient but episodically vulnerable structure: density and compactness decline in turbulence. Stress tests demonstrate high redundancy to diffuse link failures (connectivity largely intact until ∼70–80% edge removal) but pronounced sensitivity of diffusion capacity to targeted multi-node outages. Early-warning indicators based on entropy rate and percolation threshold Z-scores flag recurring windows of elevated fragility; change point detection evaluation of both metrics isolates clustered regime shifts (2015–2016, 2018–2019, 2021–2022, and late 2023–2024). A Systemic Importance Index (SII) combining average centrality and removal impact ranks MPCT and CCFI as most critical, followed by BDI, with GAUP/CPUS mid-peripheral and ASMC peripheral. The findings imply that safeguarding port throughput and stabilizing container freight conditions deliver the greatest resilience gains, while monitoring bulk/energy linkages is essential when macro shocks synchronize across markets. Full article

As traffic load continuously rises and climatic conditions increasingly vary, the performance of conventional base asphalt can no longer satisfy the needs of modern road engineering in low-temperature cracking resistance, high-temperature stability, and long-term durability. Therefore, the development of novel and efficient asphalt modifiers holds significant engineering value and practical importance. In this study, modified asphalt was prepared using varying dosages of ZM modifier (direct-injection asphalt mixture modified polymer additive). A series of experiments was executed to assess its influence on asphalt properties. First, fundamental property tests were implemented to determine the regulating effect of the ZM modifier on basic physical performances, like the softening point and penetration of the base asphalt. Penetration tests at different temperatures were performed to calculate the penetration index, thereby assessing the material’s temperature sensitivity. Subsequently, focusing on temperature as a key factor, tests on temperature sweep, and multiple stress creep recovery (MSCR) were implemented to delve into the deformation resistance and creep recovery behavior of the modified asphalt under high-temperature conditions. In addition, bending beam rheometer (BBR) experiments were introduced to attain stiffness modulus and creep rate indices, which were applied to appraise the low-temperature rheological performance. Aside from Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was utilized to explore the mechanism by which the ZM modifier influences the asphalt’s functional group composition and microstructure. Our findings reveal that the ZM modifier significantly increases the asphalt’s softening point and penetration index, reduces penetration and temperature sensitivity, and enhances high-temperature stability. Under high-temperature conditions, the ZM modifier adjusts the viscoelastic balance of asphalt, hence enhancing its resistance to flow deformation and its capacity for creep recovery. In low-temperature environments, the modifier increases the stiffness modulus of asphalt and improves its crack resistance. FTIR analyses reveal that the ZM modifier does not introduce new functional groups, indicating a physical modification process. However, by enhancing the cross-linked structure and increasing the hydrocarbon content within the asphalt, it strengthens the adhesion between the asphalt and aggregates. Overall, the asphalt’s performance improvement positively relates to the dosage of the ZM modifier, providing both theoretical basis and experimental support for its application in road engineering. Full article

Background/Objectives: Malnutrition, which is closely associated with frailty and sarcopenia, is common in older adults and is linked to adverse perioperative complications in musculoskeletal surgery. However, its influence on postoperative health-related quality of life (HRQOL) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the impact of preoperative malnutrition on HRQOL one year after surgery in elderly patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 188 patients aged ≥ 65 years who underwent elective surgery for DCM between 2017 and 2024. Preoperative nutritional status was assessed using the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), with GNRI ≤ 98 indicating malnutrition risk. Patient-reported outcome measures were assessed using the EuroQol Five-Dimension Questionnaire (EQ-5D) both preoperatively and at one year postoperatively. The minimum clinically important difference (MCID) threshold was applied to evaluate significant changes. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors for postoperative deterioration in EQ-5D score. Results: Of the 188 patients, 35 were classified as having malnutrition risk. While preoperative EQ-5D scores were comparable between the two groups, the postoperative EQ-5D score was significantly lower in the malnutrition risk group than in the no-risk group (0.58 vs. 0.67, p = 0.003). Deterioration in EQ-5D scores exceeding the MCID threshold occurred more frequently in the malnutrition risk group (37.1% vs. 21.2%, p = 0.049). Furthermore, multivariate analysis identified preoperative GNRI ≤ 98 as an independent risk factor for deterioration in EQ-5D score exceeding the MCID threshold (OR 2.40, 95% CI 1.03–5.52). Conclusions: Preoperative malnutritional status was significantly associated with impaired postoperative HRQOL in elderly patients with DCM. These findings highlight the need for preoperative nutritional assessment and optimization in this vulnerable population. Full article