Articles Tập 67 Số CĐ14-HNKH Hội Hóa sinh Y học Việt Nam 18/09/2026

PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF THE CRP/PREALBUMIN RATIO FOR NUTRITIONAL RISK IN PATIENTS AT THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT, SAINT PAUL GENERAL HOSPITAL 

Hoang Thi Ha, Dam Thanh Huong, Nguyen Thi Nu, Nguyen Thi Bao Lien, Nguyen Ngoc Minh Chau
DOI: 10.52163/yhc.v67iCD14.6449
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Abstract

Background: Malnutrition is common among patients in intensive care units (ICUs) and is closely linked to systemic inflammatory responses. The CRP/Prealbumin ratio simultaneously reflects both inflammation and nutritional status, making it a promising, simple bedside tool for early prediction of nutritional risk.

Objective: To evaluate the prognostic value of the CRP/Prealbumin ratio for nutritional risk in patients treated at the Intensive Care and Poison Control Unit, Saint Paul General Hospital. 

Subjects and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted on 120 patients treated in the ICU at Saint Paul General Hospital from February 2026 to June 2026. Nutritional risk was assessed using the modified Nutrition Risk in the Critically Ill (mNUTRIC) score, and serum CRP and prealbumin were measured within the first 24 hours of ICU admission. The predictive value was determined using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and the Area Under the Curve (AUC).

Results: 11.7% of patients were at high nutritional risk (mNUTRIC≥5). The CRP/Prealbumin ratio was significantly higher in the high-risk group compared to the low-risk group (median 8.63 vs 2.04; p=0.033) and correlated positively with mNUTRIC (r=0.258; p=0.005), SOFA score (r=0.432; p<0.001), and APACHE II score (r=0.271; p=0.005). The ratio showed prognostic value for high nutritional risk, with an AUC of 0.676 (95% CI: 0.555–0.797; p=0.033); at the optimal cut-off value of 1.26, sensitivity was 92.9% and specificity was 43.4%.

Conclusion: The CRP/Prealbumin ratio has fair prognostic value for nutritional risk, with high sensitivity, making it suitable as an initial screening test. It should be combined with comprehensive assessment tools such as mNUTRIC to confirm the diagnosis.

Keywords
CRP/Prealbumin ratio, nutritional risk, mNUTRIC score, intensive care unit.
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