Serum albumin and C-reactive protein/albumin ratio in communityacquired pneumonia

Abstract

Introduction: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common type of respiratory tract infections with high morbidity and mortality. Prognostic role of CRP/Albumin ratio in CAP patients still is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the role the CRP/albumin ratio in predicting 30-day mortality and ICU requirement in hospitalized patients with CAP. Material and Method: The study included patients with CAP.Clinical records and plain radiographic images of the patients were retrieved from hospital database and were reviewed for each patient. Results: The 179 CAP patients who were hospitalized were included. CRP level and the CRP/albumin ratio were found to have no significant effect on mortality and ICU requirement (p=0.728, p=0.232, and p=0.110, respectively), whereas low albumin level was associated with high mortality and ICU requirement (p<0.001 for both). Conclusion: Increased albumin concentration was associated with a lower risk of 30-day mortality. The CRP/albumin ratio was found to have no significant role in predicting short-term mortality and morbidity in CAP patients. Further large-scale, multicenter studies are needed to investigate the prognostic value of the CRP/albumin ratio in predicting long-term prognosis in CAP patients.