The Relationship of C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio with Three-Month Survival in Hospitalized Patients with Heart Failure

Authors

  • Željka Dragila Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospital Centre Osijek, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9500-0625
  • Lea Maršić Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia; Department of Emergency Medicine, General Hospital Našice, Croatia Author
  • Anamaria Mikolčić Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospital Centre Osijek, Croatia Author
  • Romana Marušić Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia; Department of Internal Medicine, National Memory Hospital Vukovar, Croatia Author
  • Lana Maričić Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia; Department of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Centre Osijek, Croatia Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26332/y03ve736

Keywords:

albumin, C-reactive protein, heart failure, survival

Abstract

Aim of the study: This study aimed to investigate the association of the C-reactive protein (CRP) to albumin ratio with three-month survival after hospitalization for heart failure. 
Methods: Patients hospitalized for heart failure at Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Centre Osijek in the period of 10 months were included. 
Results: There were 145 patients, of whom 67 (46.2%) were male and 78 (53.8%) female. The median age was 74 years (interquartile range 65–82 years). The most common comorbidities were hypertension (83.4%) and atrial fibrillation (58.6%). Patients treated with mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (P = 0.02) and furosemide (P = 0.04) had a significantly higher CRP/albumin ratio. A significant positive correlation of CRP/albumin ratio was observed with neutrophil percentage, red cell distribution width, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, and urate concentration, whereas a significant negative correlation of CRP/albumin ratio was observed with diastolic arterial pressure, lymphocyte percentage, haemoglobin, prothrombin time and sodium concentration. Elevated CRP/albumin ratio was associated with higher mortality during the three-month follow-up (P = 0.04). Additionally, higher mortality was observed in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist and furosemide in therapy, lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as higher urea, creatinine and urate concentration.
Conclusion: The CRP/albumin ratio shows a greater association with the three-month survival of hospitalized patients for heart failure than CRP and albumin individually.

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Published

2026-03-23

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 1 (2026)

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Dragila Ž, Maršić L, Mikolčić A, Marušić R, Maričić L.

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