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Transthyretin Measurement as a Screening Tool for Protein Calorie Malnutrition in Emergency Hospital Admissions

  • Murray A. Potter and Gillian Luxton
Published/Copyright: June 1, 2005
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Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM)
From the journal Volume 40 Issue 12

Abstract

In this study the impact of malnutrition on hospitalized patients and the value of using transthyretin level as a screening test for malnutrition were evaluated. One hundred and forty seven consecutive patients admitted through the emergency department were included in the study. The primary outcome measures were length of stay in hospital, in-hospital mortality, and nutritional supplementation in patients with malnutrition. A cost analysis of screening with transthyretin was also performed. In 24% of the patients in the study malnutrition was diagnosed (transthyretin level < 160 mg/l), however, by determination of the albumin level (< 35 g/l) only 50% of these patients could be identified. The length of stay and mortality were 16±18 days and 17%, respectively, in patients with malnutrition, compared to 8±12 days and 4% in patients without malnutrition (p < 0.0002 and p < 0.02, respectively). Only 42% of patients with malnutrition received nutritional supplementation. Cost analysis of screening with transthyretin level projected a saving of $414 per patient screened. We conclude that malnutrition is underdiagnosed in current clinical practice and is associated with poor outcomes. Transthyretin is a biochemical marker that could be used as a cost-effective screening test to identify patients with malnutrition who may benefit from nutritional supplementation.

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Published Online: 2005-06-01
Published in Print: 2002-12-10

Copyright © 2002 by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Author Index
  2. Subject Index
  3. Contents
  4. Historical Aspects and Perspectives in Transthyretin Research
  5. Transthyretin from Discovery to Now
  6. The Evolution of Transthyretin Synthesis in Vertebrate Liver, in Primitive Eukaryotes and in Bacteria
  7. The Evolution of Transthyretin Synthesis in the Choroid Plexus
  8. Hepatic Synthesis, Maturation and Complex Formation between Retinol-Binding Protein and Transthyretin
  9. Synthesis and Structural Analysis of the N-Terminal Domain of the Thyroid Hormone-Binding Protein Transthyretin
  10. Three-Dimensional Structure of the Transthyretin-Retinol-Binding Protein Complex
  11. Mechanisms of Molecular Recognition: Crystal Structure Analysis of Human and Rat Transthyretin Inhibitor Complexes
  12. Transthyretin in Fish: State of the Art
  13. The Effects of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals on Thyroid Hormone Binding to Xenopus laevis Transthyretin and Thyroid Hormone Receptor
  14. Clinical Picture and Outcome of Transthyretin-Related Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy (FAP) in Japanese Patients
  15. Laboratory Assessment of Transthyretin Amyloidosis
  16. Amyloid: Morphology and Toxicity
  17. Historical Overview of Analytical Methods for the Measurement of Transthyretin
  18. Nutritional Regulation of Visceral Markers in Rat Liver and Cultured Hepatoma Cells
  19. Significance of Transthyretin in Protein Metabolism
  20. Transthyretin as a Thyroid Hormone Carrier: Function Revisited
  21. The Molar Ratio of Retinol-Binding Protein to Transthyretin in the Assessment of Vitamin A Status in Adults. Proposal of a Cut-off Point
  22. Observations with Regard to the National Kidney Foundation K/DOQI Clinical Practice Guidelines Concerning Serum Transthyretin in Chronic Renal Failure
  23. Metabolism and Clinical Interest of Serum Transthyretin (Prealbumin) in Dialysis Patients
  24. Protein Status in Pancreatitis – Transthyretin Is a Sensitive Biomarker of Malnutrition in Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis
  25. Assessment of Nutritional Status in Organ Transplant: Is Transthyretin a Reliable Indicator?
  26. Body Composition and Nutritional Parameters in HIV and AIDS Patients
  27. C-Reactive Protein to Transthyretin Ratio for the Early Diagnosis and Follow-up of Postoperative Infection
  28. The Prognostic Value of Nutritional and Inflammatory Indices in Critically Ill Patients with Acute Respiratory Failure
  29. Transthyretin: Its Response to Malnutrition and Stress Injury. Clinical Usefulness and Economic Implications
  30. Transthyretin Measurement as a Screening Tool for Protein Calorie Malnutrition in Emergency Hospital Admissions
  31. Outcomes of Continuous Process Improvement of a Nutritional Care Program Incorporating TTR Measurement
  32. The Role of Visceral Protein Markers in Protein Calorie Malnutrition
  33. Acknowledgement
  34. Meetings
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