ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SERUM ALBUMIN LEVELS AND IN-HOSPITAL OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE MEDICAL ILLNESSES

Abstract

Background: Serum albumin is an important biochemical marker reflecting nutritional status, systemic inflammation and disease severity. Hypoalbuminemia is frequently observed in patients with acute medical illnesses and has been associated with adverse clinical outcomes, including mortality and prolonged hospitalization.

Objectives: To determine the association between serum albumin levels and in-hospital outcomes in patients with acute medical illnesses.

Study Design & Setting: Cross-sectional study conducted at the Department of Medicine, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Medical College (MBBSMC).

Methodology: A total of 120 patients aged 18 years and above with acute medical illnesses were enrolled. Serum albumin levels were measured at admission and patients were categorized into hypoalbuminemia (<3.5 g/dL) and normal albumin (≥3.5 g/dL) groups. Patients were followed throughout hospitalization, and mortality, in-hospital complications, ICU admission and duration of hospital stay were recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0.

Results: The mean age of patients was 52.4 ± 16.2 years, and 56.7% were males. Hypoalbuminemia was observed in 54 (45.0%) patients, while 66 (55.0%) had normal albumin levels. In-hospital mortality was higher among patients with hypoalbuminemia than those with normal albumin levels (24.1% vs. 7.6%). Similarly, complications (42.6% vs. 19.7%) and ICU admissions (31.5% vs. 10.6%) were more frequent in the hypoalbuminemia group. Mean hospital stay was 8.2 ± 3.5 days in patients with hypoalbuminemia compared with 5.7 ± 2.4 days in patients with normal albumin levels.

Conclusion: Hypoalbuminemia was associated with higher frequencies of adverse in-hospital outcomes, including mortality, complications and ICU admission, as well as longer hospitalization. Serum albumin may serve as a useful prognostic marker in patients with acute medical illnesses.