Length of hospitalization is associated with selected biomarkers (albumin and lymphocytes) and with co-morbidities: stud
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Length of hospitalization is associated with selected biomarkers (albumin and lymphocytes) and with co-morbidities: study on 4000 patients Antonio E. Pontiroli1, Lara Loreggian2, Marco P. L. Rovati2, Elena De Patto2, Laura Folini1, Federico Raveglia3, Matilde De Simone4, Alessandro Baisi3 and Ugo Cioffi4*
Abstract Background: Low albumin levels and low lymphocyte counts are intra hospital conditions that exert a negative influence on prognosis, healing and length of hospitalization. The study aimed to analyze the correlation between low blood levels of albumin, low lymphocytes, and length of stay. The secondary aim was to identify other co-morbidities associated with prolonged hospital stay. Methods: Retrospective pilot study was conducted by analyzing anamnestic and biochemical data, related to 4038 patients admitted to ten wards of Hospital San Paolo (Milan), collected from July 1st 2012 to December 31st 2012. A statistical analysis was carried out using the Correlation method, Multivariate Analysis and Regression. Lymphocyte count and co-morbidities were evaluated in the whole cohort, albumin levels in 1437 patients. Results: In the whole sample, low albumin levels and low lymphocyte counts were directly correlated to longer hospitalizations. The stratification of the results by department and diagnosis suggests that there is a higher correlation in certain subpopulations, and albumin shows a greater correlation with length of stay than lymphocytes. Also advanced age, high platelets, type of diagnosis, male gender and emergency admission led to longer hospitalizations. Conclusions: A routine check of albumin, lymphocytes and a spectrum of significant variables can provide precious information which can eventually lead to a shorter hospital stay. Knowledge of the general health status of a patient and the possibility to estimate his/her length of hospital stay are essential information for Clinical Governance, and for the improvement of internal services of hospitals on a large scale. Keywords: Albumin, Lymphocytes, Length of stay, Co-morbidities, Screening method
Bullet points
allocate hospital resources in terms of budget and personnel; even for a clinical audit.
1. Low levels of albumin and lymphocytes are highly correlated with prolonged hospitalizations. 2. Platelets, advanced age, number of co-morbidities, diagnosis, gender, urgent admission are also associated with prolonged hospitalizations 3. This routine screening will improve the hospitals internal healthcare along with helping to better
* Correspondence: [email protected] 4 Department of Surgery, University of Milan, Milan, Italy Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
Introduction Background
According to recent studies low albumin levels and low lymphocyte counts are the frequent in hospitalized patients, representing negative conditions with a negative impact on prognosis and length of stay (LOS) [1, 2]. Actually, albumin and lymphocyte count are biochemical parameters successfu
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