Albumin Concentrations Are Primarily Determined by the Body Cell Mass and the Systemic Inflammatory Response in Cancer Patients With Weight Loss

Abstract

The association between hypoalbuminemia and poor prognosis in patients with cancer is well recognized. However, the factors that contribute to the fall in albumin concentrations are not well understood. In the present study, we examined the relationship between circulating albumin concentrations, weight loss, the body cell mass (measured using total body potassium), and the presence of an inflammatory response (measured using C-reactive protein) in male patients (n = 40) with advanced lung or gastrointestinal cancer. Albumin concentrations were significantly correlated with the percent ideal body weight (r = 0.390, p < 0.05), extent of reported weight loss (r = -0.492, p < 0.01), percent predicted total body potassium (adjusted for age, height, and weight, r = 0.686, p <0.001), and log10 C-reactive protein concentrations (r = -0.545, p < 0.001). On multiple regression analysis, the percent predicted total body potassium and log10C-reactive protein concentrations accounted for 63% of the variation in album...