Are Albumin levels a good predictor of mortality in elderly patients with neck of femur fractures?

Harrison, S.J., Leeder, D.J., Stephenson, John and Sidhom, S.A. (2015) Are Albumin levels a good predictor of mortality in elderly patients with neck of femur fractures? In: 16th EFORT ( European Federation of National Associations of Orthopaedics and Traumatology) Congress 2015: Infection, 27th-29th May 2015, Prague, Czech Republic.

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Abstract

Neck of femur fractures are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The National Hip Fracture database in England suggest an 8.2% 30 day mortality.
Suggested mortality predictors include: The Nottingham Hip Score, POSSUM score, Lactate, End Tidal CO2, Total Lymphocyte Count and Albumin. Predictors of short-term mortality may be a useful healthcare tool in these patients.
Hypoalbuminaemia is determined as a level less than 35g/dl. No classification for degree of hypoalbuminaemia exists. It’s clinical significance are associated with liver/renal failure, chronic illness and poor nutritional states.
We wanted to assess whether there is an association between hypoalbuminaemia and patient survival, if the severity affected outcomes and whether highlighting those patients with hypoalbuminaemia would be a useful prognostic tool.