Is preoperative hypoproteinemia associated with colorectal cancer stage and postoperative complications?

Aim To investigate the relationship between preoperative level of serum albumin in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), stage of CRC and postoperative complications. Methods This cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted at the Clinic for General and Abdominal Surgery of the University Clinical Centre Sarajevo (UCCS). A total of 107 patients surgically treated for CRC in the period between 2013 and 2018 were enrolled in this study and divided into two groups: with hypoalbuminemia (group A) and without hypoalbuminemia (group B). Results The average level of albumin in group A was 29 (25-32) g/L versus 39 (37-41) g/L in group B (p<0.05). The average length of hospital stay in group A was 18 (13-25) days, and in group B 14.5 (12-21) days. Patients with hypoalbuminemia (group A) had wound dehiscence more often and more re-interventions compared to group B (p<0.05). Binary logistic regression found that serum protein, albumin and globulin levels were not statistically significant in the prediction of CRC stadium or postoperative complications (p>0.05). Conclusion Study results show that preoperatively measured levels of serum albumin are not associated with the stage of colorectal cancer and cannot serve as predictors for postoperative complications.