Role of Albumin as a Nutritional and Prognostic Marker in Elective Intestinal Surgery

Abstract

Background. The aim of this study was to investigate albumin, nutritional status, and inflammation in the perioperative course of patients undergoing elective intestinal surgery. Methods. A retrospective analysis of patients with preoperative measurements of nutritional parameters who underwent intestinal surgery between April 2017 and August 2018 at our institution was performed. Preoperatively, the correlation of albumin levels with markers for inflammation and nutritional status was investigated. Postoperatively, albumin levels were assessed with regard to high-grade morbidity and inflammation. Results. A total of 105 patients were included. Preoperatively, albumin levels were correlated with both markers for nutritional status and inflammation, with phase angle (PA) (p=0.004) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (p<0.001) as independent factors predicting the albumin levels in multivariable analysis. Postoperatively, the reduction in serum albumin (∆-albumin) on postoperative day (POD) 1/2 (p=0.025) and POD 4/5 (p=0.003) was significantly associated with Clavien–Dindo complications ≥grade III. A cut-off value of 27.3% for ∆-albumin on POD 1/2 predicted postoperative high-grade morbidity (sensitivity 75% and specificity 69%). The product of ∆-albumin and CRP on POD 4/5 identified patients with major complications more reliably than ∆-albumin or CRP alone (sensitivity 91% and specificity 72%). Conclusion. Preoperatively, albumin was a marker for nutritional status even if an inflammatory component was present. Postoperatively, ∆-albumin on POD 1/2 predicted high-grade morbidity. A new marker to identify patients with major complications on POD 4/5 is presented.

Psoas Muscle Index Defined by Computer Tomography Predicts the Presence of Postoperative Complications in Colorectal Cancer Surgery

“…The other powerful prognostic factor is the level of albuminemia as a marker of nutritional status. Some of the authors suggest the correction of the albumin level before surgery [ 21 ], this also proved to be significant in the occurrence of complications [ 22 ].…”

Postoperative decrease of albumin (ΔAlb) as early predictor of complications after gastrointestinal surgery: a systematic review

“…Galata et al retrospectively reviewed the nutritional and prognostic role of albumin in patients undergoing intestinal surgery (small bowel and colorectal procedures) (Galata et al, 2020 ). ΔAlb on postoperative day (POD) 1 and 2 were higher in patients with major complications (Clavien grade ≥III) than in patients without major complications.…”

Beta-Glucan Alters Gut Microbiota and Plasma Metabolites in Pre-Weaning Dairy Calves

“…The growth and health of dairy calves in the pre-weaning period are closely related to the future production performance, especially the early milk-feeding phase [ 28 ]. Nutrition is a major factor affecting the growth and health of dairy calves [ 29 ], and serum TP and ALB concentrations have been used to evaluate the nutritional status [ 30 , 31 ]. In the current study, we found that serum TP and ALB levels were increased in the dairy calves that were fed with oat β-glucan supplementation.…”