The prognostic values of hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, platelet (HALP) score and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in predicting in-hospital mortality in lung cancer patients presenting to the emergency department

Introduction and Aim: This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of the Hemoglobin, Albumin, Lymphocyte, and Platelet (HALP) score and the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) score in predicting in-hospital mortality among lung cancer patients admitted to the emergency department. Materials and Methods: Between 01.01.2018 and 31.12.2023, a total of 630 patients were screened retrospectively from the Adult Emergency Department of Dicle University Medical Faculty Hospital, and 465 patients were included according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Demographic information, laboratory results, and in-hospital mortality data were recorded, and HALP and PNI scores were calculated. Statistical analyses included the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test, ROC curve analysis, and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Among the 465 patients included, 82.6% were male and 17.4% were female. Hemoglobin, albumin, and lymphocyte levels were significantly higher in survivors (p<0.001). ROC analysis revealed an AUC of 0.244 for PNI and 0.422 for HALP score. In multivariate logistic regression, the PNI score was found to be an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (p<0.001), whereas the HALP score was not (p=0.947). Conclusion: The PNI score was identified as an independent prognostic factor for in-hospital mortality among lung cancer patients presenting to the emergency department, whereas the HALP score was not. It is thought that simple and accessible scoring systems such as the PNI may assist in early risk stratification in emergency clinical practice. Keywords: Lung cancer, Emergency department, HALP score, PNI, Mortality