Albumin as a Predictor of Hospital Morbidity and Mortality

Abstract

Introduction: Several factors regulate albumin synthesis. Albuminemia has been considered as a useful marker for hospital
morbidity and mortality.
Objective: To evaluate the correlation between albuminemia at
admission and in hospital morbidity and mortality.
Material and Methods: We evaluated 200 consecutive admissions to our Internal Medicine ward. According to their albuminemia at admission the patients were grouped (group 1:<2.8 g/dL; group 2: 2.8 – 3.5 g/dL; group 3: >3.5 g/dL). We
also determined the age, dependence in daily activities, length
of stay and mortality. SPSS® - V19.0 was the statistical program used to make the statistical work of the data collected.
Results: We found that 46% of the patients (92) were in group 1. Older and more dependent patients had lower albuminemia
values (p<0.001). The ANOVA test showed that patients with
lower albuminemia had longer length of stay (p=0.02). The Qui-square test for a linear trend identified a significant correlation
between albuminemia and mortality (p=0.001).
Discussion: The results described, being statistically significant, may not imply that albuminemia is directly responsible. It
may be a marker of other risk factors.
Conclusion: Our results show that hypoalbuminemia at admission correlates with longer length of stay and higher mortality