The Association of Serum Albumin Level with Cognition and Daily Function in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

Abstract

Background: Due to the high prevalence of cognitive disorders in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing hemodialysis and its negative effects on the quality of life of dialysis patients, recognizing the factors affecting cognitive disorders in essential. We investigated the relationship of cognitive condition and functional status of elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis with serum albumin levels.

Methods: The present study was performed on 80 patients aged higher than 60 years who suffering regular hemodialysis due to ESRD. The Barthel Index was used to assess basic daily activities. To assessgeneral cognitive function, the Mini–Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) tests were used.

Results: Our study indicated cognitive disorder in 57% of subjects. The mean level of serum albumin level in the groups with and without cognitive disorders was 3.91±1.74 mg/dl and 4.32± 1.83 mg/dl respectively indicating lower albumin level in the groups suffering cognitive abnormality (P<0.001). Our study also showed an adverse association between serum albumin level and functional status as independence to others in daily activities. We showed higher rate of cognitive impairment in those with underlying congestive heart failure (P=0.018) and also in diabetic and hypertensive ones (P=0.002).

Conclusion: In hemodialysis patients, duration of dialysis along with low serum albumin affect patients' cognition and daily function.