Hypoalbuminemia in the first 24 h of admission is associated with organ dysfunction in burned patients

Objective: Hypoalbuminemia is a common finding in burned patients, but its association with increased morbidity and mortality has not been well established. We assessed whether hypoalbuminemia in the first 24 h of admission is associated with organ dysfunction in patients with severe burns. Methods: For a two year period (2008-2009), we reviewed the records of burn adult patients with a total body surface area 20% admitted in our unit within the first 24 h of injury. A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to assess hypoalbuminemia as an independent predictor of organ dysfunction. Results: 56 subjects were analyzed. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that hypoalbuminemia in the first 24 h of admission was an independent predictor of organ dysfunction. Serum albumin concentration <= 30 g/L was associated with a two-fold increase in organ dysfunction [SOFA scores at day 0 (p = 0.005), day 1 (p = 0.005) and first week mean values (p = 0.004)], but not with mortality (p = 0.061). Conclusion: Hypoalbuminemia is associated with organ dysfunction in burned patients. Unlike unmodifiable predictors such as age, burn surface and inhalation burn, correction of hypoalbuminemia might represent a goal for a future trial in burn patients. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.