In an older patient with cancer, which laboratory finding supports concern for frailty?

In an older patient with cancer, which laboratory finding supports concern for frailty?

• A. Hemoglobin 12 g/dL
• B. Hematocrit 40 g/dL
• C. Serum albumin less than 2.5 g/100 dL
• D. Serum albumin greater than 2.5 g/100 dL

Answer: (C)

Frailty in older adults often shows up as reduced nutritional and physiologic reserve, and serum albumin is a key indicator of those reserves. Albumin is made by the liver and reflects both nutritional status and the body’s inflammatory state. In cancer, the body is often in a catabolic, inflammatory condition, so low albumin signals depleted protein stores and diminished ability to cope with stressors like treatment or infection. When albumin falls below 2.5 g/dL, it strongly suggests significant malnutrition and frailty. A normal or near-normal hemoglobin (around 12 g/dL) and a normal hematocrit (around 40%) don’t specifically signal frailty, and an albumin level above 2.5 g/dL would not indicate frailty.

Frailty in older adults often shows up as reduced nutritional and physiologic reserve, and serum albumin is a key indicator of those reserves. Albumin is made by the liver and reflects both nutritional status and the body’s inflammatory state. In cancer, the body is often in a catabolic, inflammatory condition, so low albumin signals depleted protein stores and diminished ability to cope with stressors like treatment or infection. When albumin falls below 2.5 g/dL, it strongly suggests significant malnutrition and frailty.

A normal or near-normal hemoglobin (around 12 g/dL) and a normal hematocrit (around 40%) don’t specifically signal frailty, and an albumin level above 2.5 g/dL would not indicate frailty.