Original article

Is preoperative hypoproteinemia associated with colorectal cancer stage and postoperative complications?

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Abstract

Aim: To investigate the relationship between preoperative level of serum albumin in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), stage of CRC and postoperative complications.

Methods: This cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted at the Clinic for General and Abdominal Surgery of the University Clinical Centre Sarajevo (UCCS). A total of 107 patients surgically treated for CRC in the period between 2013 and 2018 were enrolled in this study and divided into two groups: with hypoalbuminemia (group A) and without hypoalbuminemia (group B).

Results: The average level of albumin in group A was 29 (25-32) g/L versus 39 (37-41) g/L in group B (p<0.05). The average length of hospital stay in group A was 18 (13-25) days, and in group B 14.5 (12-21) days. Patients with hypoalbuminemia (group A) had wound dehiscence more often and more re-interventions compared to group B (p<0.05). Binary logistic regression found that serum protein, albumin and globulin levels were not statistically significant in the prediction of CRC stadium or postoperative complications (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Study results show that preoperatively measured levels of serum albumin are not associated with the stage of colorectal cancer and cannot serve as predictors for postoperative complications.

Keywords: colorectal neoplasms, complications, postoperative period, serum

How to Cite:

Sofić, A., Rašić, I., Halilović, E., Mujić, A. & Muslić, D., (2021) “Is preoperative hypoproteinemia associated with colorectal cancer stage and postoperative complications?”, Medicinski glasnik 18(2), 450-455. doi: https://doi.org/10.17392/1353-21