• Assessment
    Does serum albumin correlate with weight loss in four models of prolonged protein-energy restriction: anorexia nervosa, non-malabsorptive gastric partitioning bariatric surgery, calorie-restricted diets or starvation?
    • Conclusion

      In the four models of prolonged protein-energy restriction, there was no correlation between serum albumin and weight loss.

      • Five studies (three cross-sectional, one cohort, one case-control) found that serum albumin does not correlate with weight loss in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN)

      • One cohort study found that serum albumin does not correlate with weight loss in non-malabsorptive gastric partitioning bariatric surgery for obesity. Serum albumin did not respond negatively to protein-calorie deprivation after surgery, suggesting that albumin is not a sensitive indicator of protein status in gastric partitioning patients 

      • Four studies (One single-group uncontrolled trial, two non-randomized trials and one case-control study) found that serum albumin does not correlate with intentional weight loss in calorie-restricted diets 

      • There were no studies identified to meet the inclusion criteria for serum albumin levels in starvation.

      The studies were limited by small sample sizes and the use of weak research methodologies. Further research into the correlation of serum albumin with each of the four models is needed before serum albumin can be recommended as a biomarker of prolonged protein-energy restriction.

    • Grade: II
      • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
      • Grade II is Fair;
      • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
      • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
      • Grade V is Not Assignable.
      • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
      • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
      • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
      • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
      • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
    Does serum prealbumin correlate with weight loss in four models of prolonged protein-energy restriction: Anorexia nervosa, non-malabsorptive gastric partitioning bariatric surgery, calorie-restricted diets or starvation?
    • Conclusion

      In the four models of prolonged protein-energy restriction, there was no correlation between serum prealbumin and weight loss.

      • One case control, one cross-sectional and one cohort study found that serum prealbumin does not correlate with weight loss in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN)

      • One non-randomized trial and one case series study found that serum prealbumin does not correlate with intentional weight loss associated with calorie-restricted diets 

      • One non-randomized trial found that serum prealbumin does not correlate with weight loss in starvation 

      • There were no studies identified to meet the inclusion criteria for serum prealbumin levels in non-malabsorptive gastric partitioning bariatric surgery.

      The studies were limited by small sample sizes and the use of weak research methodologies. Further research into the correlation of serum prealbumin with each of the four models is needed before serum prealbumin can be recommended as a biomarker of prolonged protein-energy restriction.

    • Grade: III
      • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
      • Grade II is Fair;
      • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
      • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
      • Grade V is Not Assignable.
      • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
      • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
      • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
      • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
      • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
    Does serum albumin correlate with nitrogen balance?
    • Conclusion

      There was no research available meeting inclusion criteria to determine a correlation between serum albumin and nitrogen balance.

       

       

    • Grade: V
      • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
      • Grade II is Fair;
      • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
      • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
      • Grade V is Not Assignable.
      • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
      • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
      • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
      • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
      • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
    Does serum prealbumin correlate with nitrogen balance?
    • Conclusion

      There was no research available meeting inclusion criteria to determine a correlation between prealbumin and nitrogen balance.

    • Grade: V
      • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
      • Grade II is Fair;
      • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
      • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
      • Grade V is Not Assignable.
      • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
      • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
      • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
      • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
      • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.