Serum albumin level at admission: mortality and clinical outcome in geriatric patients.

We evaluated serum albumin at time of admission, within 72 hours, in 135 geriatric patients who were older than 70 years to establish its role as a predictor of death and clinical outcome at time of discharge. Serum albumin values were reduced significantly in patients who died compared with those who were discharged in unchanged/impaired and improved conditions (3.01 +/- 0.68 g/dL, 3.18 +/- 0.55 g/dL, and 3.65 +/- 0.52 g/dL respectively, P < 0.0001). A correlation between serum albumin concentration at admission and number of days elapsed from admission and death was found (r = 0.43, P < 0.05). Mortality rate was 38.6% in patients with serum albumin values < 3.3 g/dL compared with 14.1% in those with albumin values > or = 3.3 g/dL (P < 0.005). Similar results were obtained even when the main diagnostic conditions, such as cardiocerebrovascular disease and cancer, were considered. The results demonstrate that in geriatric patients the serum albumin level at admission may be a predictor of mortality and clinical outcome at discharge.