Hypoalbuminemia as a predictor of mortality in abdominal sepsis.

BACKGROUND

A level < 35 g/L of albumin (hypoalbuminemia) has been determined as a parameter to predict mortality and morbidity.

METHOD

Prospective observational study, in a period of 12 months, to patients diagnosed with sepsis of abdominal origin, they are divided into two groups based on albumin levels (cut: 3.5 g/dL) to assess mortality between both groups.

RESULTS

We studied 23 patients admitted to the intensive care unit. The mean albumin was 2.77 g/dL (± 0.71). When calculating the odds ratio (OR) that was a 23-fold greater risk of dying when hypoalbuminemia presented compared to the normal albumin group (OR = 23.3; 95% CI: 1,948 to 279.42). The mean albumin for patients who died was 2.04 g/dL (± 0.31) vs. 3.03 g/dL (± 0.35) (p = 0.02; 95% CI: -1.551 to -0.416). We do not assess morbidity, however, we identify a certain tendency to a longer stay in the ICU which is accompanied by a higher risk of complications and in the end a higher risk of mortality.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that hypoalbuminemia represents a predictor of mortality in patients with abdominal sepsis.