SERUM-ALBUMIN LEVEL AT ADMISSION - MORTALITY AND CLINICAL OUTCOME IN GERIATRIC-PATIENTS

We evaluated serum albumin at time of admission, within 72 hours, in 1 35 geriatric patients who were older than 70 years to establish its ro le as a predictor of death and clinical outcome at time of discharge. Serum albumin values were reduced significantly in patients who died c ompared with those who were discharged in unchanged/impaired and impro ved conditions (3.01 +/- 0.68 g/ dL, 3.18 +/- 0.55 g/dL, and 3.65 +/- 0.52 g/dL respectively, P < 0.0001). A correlation between serum album in concentration at admission and number of days elapsed from admissio n and death was found (r = 0.43, P < 0.05). Mortality rate was 38.6% i n patients with serum albumin values < 3.3 g/dL compared with 14.1% in those with albumin values greater than or equal to 3.3 g/dL (P < 0.00 5). Similar results were obtained even when the main diagnostic condit ions, such as cardiocerebrovascular disease and cancer, were considere d.The results demonstrate that in geriatric patients the serum albumin level at admission may be a predictor of mortality and clinical outco me at discharge.