Association between Serum Albumin and Mortality in Delta COVID-19 Patients in ICU and General Ward

Faeze Sadat Hoseini; Saina Sadat Mirhosseini; Abolghassem Djazayery; Ariyo Movahedi

doi:10.18502/jnfs.v10i3.19242

Faeze Sadat Hoseini Department of Nutrition, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Saina Sadat Mirhosseini Department of Nutrition, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Abolghassem Djazayery Department of Nutrition, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Ariyo Movahedi Department of Nutrition, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jnfs.v10i3.19242

Keywords: COVID-19; Mortality; Serum albumin; Hypoalbuminemia; Critical illness; Inflammatory markers

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) primarily affects the respiratory system, with a mortality rate of 1.4 to 4%. Albumin, an acute-phase reactant protein with antioxidant properties, plays a key role in health assessment. Low serum albumin levels often indicate malnutrition, disease, or infection. This study examines the relationship between serum albumin levels and mortality in COVID-19 patients. Methods: This study is a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 793 COVID-19 patients categorized into two groups based on serum albumin levels: hypoalbuminemia and normal albumin. Mortality rate, background diseases (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer, cardiovascular disease), c-reactive protein, hospitalization duration, platelets, lymphocytes, and neutrophils were evaluated. The correlation between serum albumin levels and mortality was analyzed both independently and after adjusting for confounding factors to assess its impact on patient outcomes. Results: The results showed that the average duration of hospitalization, as well as neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet count was higher in hypoalbuminemia group. Although the average time of hospitalization and neutrophils in two groups did not differ (P>0.05), lymphocytes and platelets were significantly different in two groups (P<0.05). A significant interaction was observed between serum albumin and mortality in patients. These associations remained significant after adjusting for age, sex, underlying diseases, and the number of COVID-19 vaccine doses received (P=0.0001). Conclusions: Serum albumin levels is associated with the mortality rate in patients infected with delta coronavirus. It is recommended that future prospective studies evaluate the relationship between serum albumin levels and mortality rates.