Effects of Combat and Military Training on End of Life Care (FR422)

analysis and stepwise Cox analysis was used to identify prognostic factors. Hazard ratios (HR) were calculated for significant variables . Results. Eighty-one of 83 patients admitted over 2 months were assessable. Variables for worse survival (HR>1) were albumin 0.93 mg/dL, and male gender. RPA found patients with albumin > 3.1 g/dL had better survival than 0.91 mg/dL (P1⁄40.035). Every variation of albumin (continuous, median, RPA, and tertiles) was significant; creatinine was significant by RPA. In multivariable analysis, only albumin and creatinine were prognostic. HR for albumin > 3.1 was 0.28 (95% CI, 0.15 to 0.52) (P 0.91 mg/dL the HR was 1.8 (95% CI, 1.01 to 3.21) (P1⁄40.046). Conclusions. Low serum albumin and increased creatinine are prognostic factors for inpatients in a palliative medicine unit. Implications for research, policy, or practice. This study found serum albumin and creatinine were prognostically important. Correlations should be made with palliative prognostic indices and other prognostic factors. A prospective study is underway to confirm the significance of albumin as a prognostic factor.