Volume : V, Issue : V, May - 2016

Serum Albumin: A Prognostic Marker in Critically Ill Patients

Santosh Gosavi, Prashant Shinde

Abstract :

 Introduction: In resource limited settings, there is a great need to predict the prognosis and outcome in critically ill patients. Currently the most commonly utilized scoring systems is the APACHE II. But, it does not include serum albumin concentration as an independent predictor. Serum albumin appears to be a reliable prognostic indicator in various contexts and is a simple and less time consuming test. The present study analysed the role of serum albumin as an independent prognostic marker in critically ill patients and compare the results with APACHE II. Materials & Methods: A Prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care institute including 300 critically ill patients. Routine investigations like Hb, WBC, platelet count, RFT, LFT, electrolytes and Serum albumin level were measured on day of admission to MICU. Serum albumin and APACHE II score were compared with each other with respect to mortality and morbidity indicators (need for ventilator support, complications and duration of hospital stay). Data was analysed using SPSS software ver. 21 using appropriate statistical tests. Pvalue of less than 0.05 was taken as level of significance Results: The mean Serum albumin on day of admission to MICU in survivors and non survivors was 3.06 gm% (+/–0.54) and 2.45 gm% (+/– 0.50) respectively (p< 0.01). The mean APACHE II score in survivors and non survivors was 11.7 (+/– 5.65) and 19.18 (+/– 6.76) respectively (p< 0.01).On compå these parameters as morbidity predictors, serum albumin levels in survivors with requirement of ventilation, having complications and those with prolonged hospital stay (>21 days) was significantly low, while no difference was observed with respect to APACHE II scores (p> 0.05). Conclusions: Serum albumin level measurement can be used as a prognostic marker in critically ill patients for predicting mortality and morbidity, in addition to APACHE II Score along with clinical judgment.

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Article: Download PDF   DOI : 10.36106/ijsr  

Cite This Article:

Santosh Gosavi, Prashant Shinde Serum Albumin: A Prognostic Marker in Critically Ill Patients International Journal of Scientific Research, Vol : 5, Issue : 5 MAY 2016

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