Preoperative Serum Albumin Levels Predict Treatment Cost in Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin 4.5 g/dL. The increased total costs were significantly higher in revision ($4,322, p = 0.034) than in primary ($3,446, p < 0.001) procedures. In adjusted regression, each 1.0 g/dL increase in serum albumin yielded a 6.6% reduction in costs (β = −0.066; 95% CI, −0.090 to −0.042]; p < 0.001), for average savings of $1,282 (95% CI, $759 to $1,806) per unit albumin. Adjusted regressions demonstrated that a 1-point increase in serum albumin reduced readmissions by 53% (odds ratio, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.31–0.73; p = 0.001) and LOS by 0.6 days (β = −0.60; 95% CI, −0.76 to −0.44; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Hypoalbuminemia is associated with increased total direct costs, LOS, and readmissions following primary and revision THA and TKA. Future efforts to predict and address total costs should take into consideration the patient's preoperative serum albumin levels.