Hypoalbuminemia Predicts Serious Complications Following Elective Bariatric Surgery

The aims of this study were to (1) characterize the prevalence of hypoalbuminemia (HA), (2) compare complication rates among HA and non-HA patients, and (3) determine the influence of HA on postoperative complications and 30-day mortality among bariatric surgery patients.

Data was extracted from the MBSAQIP registry from 2015 to 2018. A presurgical serum albumin level of [Formula: see text] 3.5 g/dL was used to organize the patient population into HA and non-HA cohorts. Bivariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression modeling were used.

Of 590,971 patients, 42,618 (7.2%) were identified as having serum albumin levels [Formula: see text] 3.5 g/dL. HA patients were younger (44.0 + / - 11.9 vs. 44.5 + / - 12.0 years; p < 0.0001), were of increased BMI (48.5 + / - 9.0 kg/m² vs. 45.1 + / - 7.7 kg/m²; p < 0.0001), and had a lower baseline functional status (1.6% vs. 1.0% dependent or partially dependent; p < 0.0001). HA patients had more anastomotic leaks (0.46% vs. 0.38%; p = 0.02), deep surgical site infections (0.37% vs. 0.24%; p < 0.0001), and composite serious complications (4.4% vs. 3.3%; p < 0.0001). At 30-day post-operation, complications including need for reintervention (1.6% vs. 1.2%; p < 0.0001), readmission (4.8% vs. 3.7%; p < 0.0001), and mortality (0.14% vs. 0.086%; p = 0.001) were all more prevalent among HA patients. After functional status, HA was the strongest modifiable predictor of serious complications but was not predictive of 30-day mortality.

We identified HA as one of the greatest modifiable factors predictive of serious complications. Adoption of strategies to identify and improve preoperative serum albumin levels may reduce overall serious complications among elective bariatric surgery patients.