Admission Serum Albumin Level and Length of Hospitalization in Elderly Patients

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-1-1998

Abstract

Background: We sought to determine whether elderly patients with a serum albumin level <3.4 g/dL on admission to community hospitals have a longer duration of hospitalization than those with an admission serum albumin level > or =3.4 g/dL. Methods: A total of 144 patients, 60 years of age or older, were consecutively admitted to our medical service for a variety of health problems. Within 4 hours of their admission, we measured serum albumin level and recorded subsequent length of hospital stay. Results: Length of hospital stay was inversely related to admission serum albumin level. The mean length of hospitalization was 3.85 +/- 2.55 days (+/- SD) for patients with an admission serum albumin level > or =3.4 g/dL and 6.74 +/- 4.79 days for those with an admission serum albumin level <3.4 g/dL. Three patients (6%) with admission serum albumin levels <3.4 g/dL died, but no deaths occurred in patients with an albumin level > or =3.4 g/dL. Conclusion: A serum albumin level <3.4 g/dL obtained within 4 hours of hospital admission is a reliable predictor of prolonged hospital stay and death in patients 60 years of age or older.

DOI

10.1097/00007611-199809000-00009

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