Admission serum albumin level as a predictor of outcome among geriatric patients.

This retrospective study consisted of 148 patients who were consecutively discharged during 1991 from a geriatric VA Hospital population. Seventy-six were 65 years of age or older, and all were male. Data included admission serum albumin level, age, length of stay, diagnosis, and disposition. Albumin level was negatively associated with length of stay and with outcome disposition. Albumin level was not associated with diagnosis. Age alone was not associated with albumin level, length of stay, diagnosis, or disposition. We conclude that a low albumin level is an independent predictor of a worse disposition. Age did not predict nutritional status, length of stay, diagnosis, or disposition.