The predictive power of albumin-based composite indicators for mortality in patients with aspiration pneumonia.

Abstract

Objective: The incidence of aspiration pneumonia (AP) is rising due to an increasing population with chronic conditions. This study investigates the association between albumin-based composite indicators-blood urea nitrogen/albumin (B/A), lactate dehydrogenase/albumin (L/A), and C-reactive protein/albumin (C/A) ratios-and AP-related mortality.

Methods: In this retrospective study, adult patients diagnosed with AP between 2022 and 2023 were analyzed. Patients' demographics, clinical data, and lab results were recorded. Albumin-based composite indicators were calculated, and outcomes were observed up to 28 days post-admission, categorizing patients as survivors or non-survivors.

Results: The study involved 67 patients, with a median age of 80. The 28-day mortality rate was 38.8% (n=26). There were no substantial demographic or clinical differences between survivors and non-survivors (p>0.05). However, non-survivors exhibited notably lower serum albumin levels (p>0.001). Additionally, B/A and C/A ratios were significantly higher in non-survivors (p<0.05). B/A ratios above 1.03 and C/A ratios above 6.15 correlated significantly with mortality (p=0.023 and p=0.026).

Conclusion: The results indicate that lower serum albumin levels and higher B/A and C/A ratios are significantly linked to AP-induced mortality. These albumin-based indicators may serve as useful markers for early risk assessment and outcome prediction in AP patients.