ABSTRACT
To determine the effect of nutritional status on the medical course and rehabilitation outcome of patients on an adult rehabilitation service, serum albumin (SA) and total lymphocyte count (TLC) were prospectively studied on 36 patients. Readings were taken on admission (T-1), at which time a Barthel Index Mobility Goal (BIMG) was assigned, and again 4 to 8 weeks after admission (T-2). A Barthel Index Mobility Score (BIMS) was assigned at discharge. Rehabilitation program restrictions due to medical complications correlated negatively with both the SA level at T1 (r = -.328, p less than 0.05) and at T2 (r = -.523, p less than 0.01). The SA level at T2 correlated positively with the BIMS:BIMG ratio (r = .416, p less than 0.05) at discharge, suggesting that SA levels may predict patient mobility outcome.
