Relationship between serum albumin values and severity and length of stay in type 2 DM patients with COVID-19 at Bina Kasih Hospital

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a significant health problem in
Indonesia, increasing the risk of death and costs, especially in patients
with type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM). Albumin, a protein with anti-
inflammatory and antioxidant roles, is suspected to be associated with
disease severity and length of hospitalization. Conditions such as poor
glucose control in type 2 DM and a high viral load in COVID-19 can lead
to hypoalbuminemia, which is thought to worsen the condition.
Methods: This observational analytical study with a cross-sectional design
was conducted at Bina Kasih Medan Regional Hospital (August–October
2021) on 34 inpatients with type 2 DM and COVID-19. The independent
variable was albumin levels, while disease severity (moderate and severe)
and length of hospitalization (≤ and ≥ 11 days) were the dependent
variables. Bivariate analysis using the Chi-Square test was performed on
secondary medical record data.
Results: The majority of subjects were male (76.4%). A significant inverse
relationship was found between serum albumin levels and disease severity
(P<0.032). However, no significant relationship was found between
albumin levels and hospitalization duration (P<0.350).
Conclusion: Decreased albumin levels were associated with increased
disease severity but not with hospitalization duration in patients with type
2 diabetes mellitus (DM) with COVID-19.