Albumin levels and mortality in patients with hip fractures.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to examine the serum albumin levels of patients admitted with hip fractures to see whether there was any relationship between serum albumin and subsequent mortality.


METHODS
A group of 39 consecutive patients with hip fractures was followed for a period of 12 months. The serum albumin was determined preoperatively. No patient was lost to follow up.


RESULTS
Ten patients died at 12 months. Those who died had a significantly lower serum albumin level than those alive at the end of the follow up period.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study show that preoperative serum albumin determination in patients with hip fractures is a useful guide to postfracture mortality.
Burness
R
R
Wellington Hospital, Wellington School of Medicine, Wellington.
Horne
G
G
Purdie
G
G
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000097:blood* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011300:Preoperative Care; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis*; D016019:Survival Analysis
D012709:Serum Albumin