Low Serum Albumin is A Significant Prognostic Factor in Burn Mortality; A Retrospective Study from January 2016 – November 2020 in Buth Jos Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Albumin is a single polypeptide chain of 585 amino acids synthesized by the liver which accounts for 75-80% Osmotic pressure. Hypo albuminemia in burns occurs due to loss from damage tissues, reduction in hepatic blood and due to inhibitory tissue factor such as Necrotic tissue factor, interleukin 1 and 6 released at burn sites.

Method: The information about the 73 patients in our study was from our unit records and the hospital records. We Used the Cobas C III system, colorimetric assay method to carry out the serum albumin and total protein investigations.

Result: We had 11 burn mortality out of the 73 patients, and based on the serum albumin at the time of death, those with serum albumin of < 25g/L have burn mortality sensitivity of 90.9% and specificity of 83.3%.

Discussion: Amongst all the prognostic factors we evaluated such as type, size of burns, age of patients, inhalational injury, co-morbid factors, we found that serum albumin of < 25g/L to be a more useful prognostic factor in burn mortality.

Conclusion: We used serum albumin of < 25g/L in our patients to prognosticate burn mortality and to use this knowledge to optimize their serum albumin to avert death.