Albumina como Factor Preditivo de Morbilidade e Mortalidade Hospitalar Albumin as a Predictor of Hospital Morbidity and Mortality

Several factors regulate albumin synthesis. Albu- minemia has been considered as a useful marker for hospital morbidity and mortality. Objective: To evaluate the correlation between albuminemia at admission and in hospital morbidity and mortality. Material and Methods: We evaluated 200 consecutive ad- missions to our Internal Medicine ward. According to their al- buminemia at admission the patients were grouped (group 1: 3.5 g/dL). We also determined the age, dependence in daily activities, length of stay and mortality. SPSS ® - V19.0 was the statistical pro- gram used to make the statistical work of the data collected. Results: We found that 46% of the patients (92) were in group 1. Older and more dependent patients had lower albuminemia values (p<0.001). The ANOVA test showed that patients with lower albuminemia had longer length of stay (p=0.02). The Qui- square test for a linear trend identified a significant correlation between albuminemia and mortality (p=0.001). Discussion: The results described, being statistically signifi- cant, may not imply that albuminemia is directly responsible. It may be a marker of other risk factors. Conclusion: Our results show that hypoalbuminemia at admis- sion correlates with longer length of stay and higher mortality.