Document Detail


Serum albumin concentration as a prognostic indicator for acute surgical patients.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  10063715     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: Whether or not the rapid reduction in serum albumin concentration in acute surgical patients without evidence of pre-existing energy deficit correlates with outcome has yet to be studied. In this study, we attempted to determine whether albumin infusion or nutritional supplementation can improve outcome for patients with hypoalbuminemia. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 80 non-calorie-deficient patients newly admitted to the surgical intensive care unit of the Veterans General Hospital-Taipei with complete data for serum albumin concentration and APACHE II score within 24 hours from August, 1998, to February, 1994. The relationships between age, sex, diagnosis, reason for intensive care, albumin infusion, hyperalimentation, APACHE II score, serum albumin concentration, days in intensive care and prognosis within three months were analyzed. RESULTS: Univariate statistical analysis showed that the serum albumin concentration and APACHE II score correlated well with patient survival (p = 0.002 and p = 0.025, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that hypoalbuminemia was independently associated with patient outcome (p = 0.003). Simple albumin infusion or hyperalimentation for patients with hypoalbuminemia did not improve survival. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that serum albumin concentration appears to be a good prognostic marker for acute surgical patients. While decreased serum albumin concentration may also reflect poor nutritional status, for patients with moderate to severe hypoalbuminemia due to other causes, simple albumin infusion and/or nutritional support did not significantly improve survival. Consequently, aggressive treatment of the underlying disease is far more important.
Authors:
S P Kung; G J Tang; C W Wu; W Y Lui
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Zhonghua yi xue za zhi = Chinese medical journal; Free China ed     Volume:  62     ISSN:  0578-1337     ISO Abbreviation:  Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi (Taipei)     Publication Date:  1999 Feb 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1999-03-16     Completed Date:  1999-03-16     Revised Date:  2004-11-17    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0005327     Medline TA:  Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi (Taipei)     Country:  TAIWAN    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  61-7     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
APACHE
Acute Disease
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Prognosis
Retrospective Studies
Serum Albumin / analysis*
Surgical Procedures, Operative*
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Serum Albumin

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