Serum Cholesterol:: An Indicator of Malnutrition

Abstract

The relationship between low serum cholesterol and albumin levels were examined to determine if serum cholesterol would be useful in screening for protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM). Audits were conducted retrospectively of 80 randomly selected hospitalized patients over 60 years of age, on various forms of oral and parenteral nutrition. The study sample consisted of acutely ill patients with delayed oral intake and patients with major stress (including GI distress, multiple organ failure, pancreatitis, and patients with dysfunctional GI tracts experiencing vomiting or diarrhea). Serum cholesterol and serum albumin levels were shown to be statistically correlated and significant (p < 0.01). Albumin < 3.2g/dl was a predictor of cholesterol < 110mg/dl. There was also a correlation with low albumin (< 3.15) as a predictor of cholesterol < 130mg/dl when matched with diagnosis. The findings of low cholesterol with hypoalbuminemia in a routine profile is a reasonable indicator of PCM and can be used as a basis for nutrition intervention. In addition, these markers can be a justification for obtaining a serum prealbumin to further assist in developing appropriate nutrition care plans