PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF HYPOALBUMINEMIA IN PATIENTS ADMITTED TO SURGICAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT IN ZAGAZIG UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS

Abstract

Background: Hypoalbuminemia is a common complication in people suffering from acute and chronic
illnesses. 20% of severely ill patients have hypoalbuminemia at the time of admission to the hospital.
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypoalbuminemia in the Surgical Intensive
Care Unit and to assess the risk factors for hypoalbuminemia in order to improve the outcomes of
patients admitted to the unit. Patients and methods: this study included 200 patients were hospitalised
to Zagazig University Hospitals' surgical Intensive Care Unit, Anesthesia and Intensive Care
Department. Complete blood count, liver function tests, renal function tests, random blood sugar, and
prothrombin time were all performed on all of the patients. Serum albumin was measured on day one
and day six. Results: The majority of individuals with hypoalbuminemia were over 60 years old.
Tumors, diabetes, hypertension, renal illnesses, and hepatic disorders were the most prevalent risk
factors. The greater the danger, the greater the chance of hypoalbuminemia. Oncology patients had the
lowest albumin levels. In compared to the mean albumin level on day one and day six, the risk of
hypoalbuminemia increases as the length of stay in the hospital increases. Conclusion: In surgical
intensive care units, careful monitoring of serum albumin levels is required, especially in older patients,
because the risk of hypoalbuminemia increases dramatically as the duration of stay increases, and the
prevalence of hypoalbuminemia increases in patients with greater risk factors.