24-Hour Hypoalbuminemia as a Predictor of Sepsis in Severe Burns

Abstract

Introduction: Burn injuries are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality, particularly when complicated by conditions such as sepsis. Hypoalbuminemia, frequently observed in burn patients, is hypothesized to elevate the risk of sepsis through mechanisms related to systemic inflammatory responses and metabolic disturbances. This study aims to explore the relationship between hypoalbuminemia (defined as serum albumin <3.0 g/dL) and the incidence of sepsis in individuals with severe burns. Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted in the Burn Care Unit of Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia from January 2020 to December 2023. Medical records of 157 burn patients meeting inclusion criteria were reviewed. Data collected included demographics, burn etiology, albumin levels, and sepsis incidence. Descriptive statistics were applied, and the Chi-square test analyzed categorical variables, while logistic regression assessed the predictive role of hypoalbuminemia for sepsis. Results: Of the 157 patients, 75.2% were male, and 67.5% were aged 18–55 years, indicating a higher prevalence of burns in the productive age group. The leading cause of burns was fire (77.1%), followed by scald injuries (17.2%). Hypoalbuminemia was identified in 80.3% of patients, and 80.3% of these patients developed sepsis. Hypoalbuminemia was significantly associated with the incidence of sepsis (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Hypoalbuminemia plays a significant role in increasing the risk of sepsis in severe burn patients. Interventions targeting albumin levels and systemic inflammation may improve outcomes in this population.

Keywords

• health risk
• hypoalbuminemia
• immunology
• sepsis
• severity of illness index