Abstract:

There are many studies showing that low serum albumin levels increase the risk of morbidity and mortality in older adults. In this study, we aimed to examine whether there is a relationship between serum albumin levels and geriatric syndromes in older adults. The records of patients over the age of 65 who were admitted to the geriatric clinic between January 2014 and April 2018 and whose serum albumin levels were measured simultaneously with a comprehensive geriatric assessment were reviewed retrospectively. 802 patients who met the inclusion criteria and had no exclusion criteria were included in the study. Demographic data, comorbidities, serum albumin levels, geriatric syndromes were recorded for all patients. The mean age of the participants was 72.96±8.14 years and 66.7% were women. We determined falling in 30.5% of the patients, pain in 49.4%, urinary incontinence in 48.1%, polypharmacy in 47.7%, dementia in 19.3%, depression in 29.7%, malnutrition risk in 20.6% and malnutrition in 5.9%. Of the patients, 49.3% were prefrail and 21.2% were frail. In addition, probable sarcopenia was found in 30.9%, sarcopenia in 5.2%, and severe sarcopenia in 4.2% of the participants. The mean serum albumin level of all participants was 4.12±0.36 g/dl. When the relationship between serum albumin level and geriatric syndromes was examined, it was observed that the decrease in serum albumin level increased the risk of falls, pain, urinary incontinence, polypharmacy, dementia, malnutrition, frailty, and sarcopenia (p<0.05). This relationship continued when the effects of age, gender and nutritional status were removed (p<0.05). No relationship was found between serum albumin level and depression (p>0.05). Low serum albumin levels may be a predictor of geriatric syndromes such as falls, pain, urinary incontinence, polypharmacy, dementia, malnutrition, frailty, and sarcopenia. Geriatric syndromes that may accompany patients with decreased serum albumin levels should be kept in mind.

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