Bergstrom J, Heimburger O, Lindholm B, Qureshi AR
Elevated serum C-reactive protein is a strong predictor of increased mortality and low serum albumin in hemodialysis patients
International Society of Blood Purification
Blood Purif (Sep) 13:(supp.1)49 1995

Because many groups have corroborated the finding that low serum albumin concentrations are associated with increased risk of death in HD patients, Bergstrom et al sought to define variables that might affect serum albumin, such as nutrition, and non-nutritional factors like age, overhydration, increased capillary permeability and inflammatory conditions. Nutritional status by subjective global assessment (SGA), anthropometric, biochemical markers and C-reactive protein were measured on non- dialysis days in 126 patients, followed for 4 years.

Normal nourishment was present in 37% of the HD patients with a mean albumin concentration of 3.5 g/dl and CRP of 18 mg/dl. Fifty-two percent were mildly malnourished by SGA with albumin of 3.2 g/dl and CRP of 21 mg/dl. Thirteen percent were severely malnourished by SGA with albumin of 3.0 and CRP of 26. CRP was increased with age, hence an age-associated co-morbidity. Age, SGA and CRP regressed well against albumin. CRP and albumin were inversely correlated. In a Cox proportional hazard model CRP is the strongest predictive factor for death, such that albumin falls out as a predictor in the model. Non- nutritional factors influence serum albumin and probably should be followed routinely. (T.A. Golper)

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International Society of Blood Purification
CRF by organ system : Nutrition