the predictive value of serum albumin concentration and nutritional risk index for clinical outcomes in non-critically ill hospitalized patients

Introduction: previous studies have identified serum albumin level as a key factor associated with various clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients. this study aims to evaluate the relationship between serum albumin levels, nutritional risk index, and hospital clinical outcomes, including long-term hospital stay and hospital mortality, in non-critical patients. methods: serum albumin levels and patient weight were measured within the first 24 hours of hospital admission. usual weight was recorded, and the nutritional risk index (nri) for adults and the geriatric nutritional risk index (gnri) for elderly patients were calculated. the hospital information system recorded the length of hospital stay and the occurrence of clinical outcomes. cox regression analysis assessed the relationship between low serum albumin levels, malnutrition risk, and clinical outcomes. results: the results showed no significant relationship between low serum albumin levels at admission or a moderate-to-severe risk of malnutrition and clinical outcomes. furthermore, no significant differences between these groups were found in in-hospital mortality or prolonged hospital stays. however, the length of hospital stay was significantly longer in patients with low serum albumin levels compared to others. conclusions: this study revealed that low serum albumin levels or moderate-to-severe malnutrition risk at admission may not be reliable predictors of in-hospital mortality or prolonged hospital stays, independently. however, conducting larger studies is necessary to reach a definite conclusion.