The Predictive Value of Serum Albumin Concentration and Nutritional Risk Index for Clinical Outcomes in Non-Critically Ill Hospitalized Patients

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

2 Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

3 Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

4 Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran.

5 Healthy Ageing Research Centre, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran.

6 Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

7 Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

8 Service of Clinical Nutrition and Dietitian, Emam Reza Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

9 Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: In previous studies, serum albumin levels have been identified as one of the important factors related to various clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients. In this study, we aim to evaluate the relationship between serum albumin levels and nutritional risk index with hospital clinical outcomes such as long-term hospital stay and hospital mortality in non-critical patients. Methods: The serum albumin levels of patients and their weight were measured in the first 24 hours of admission to the hospital. The usual weight of the patients was recorded, and then the nutritional risk index was calculated for adults and the geriatric nutritional risk index for the elderly. The length of hospital stays and the occurrence of clinical outcomes were recorded using the hospital information system. The relationship between low serum albumin levels and the risk of malnutrition and clinical outcomes was analyzed by Cox regression.
Results: This study showed there was no significant relationship between low serum albumin levels at admission or a moderate to severe risk of malnutrition and clinical outcomes. However, the length of hospitalization was significantly higher in patients with low serum albumin levels than in other patients, while there was no significant difference in the prevalence of hospital mortality or prolonged hospital stays between these groups. Conclusions: This study revealed that low serum albumin levels or the presence of a moderate to severe risk of malnutrition on admission was not a good predictor of in-hospital mortality and prolonged hospital stays. 

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 04 January 2025
  • Receive Date: 27 September 2024
  • Revise Date: 29 December 2024
  • Accept Date: 04 January 2025