Prealbumin as a Nutritional Biomarker: Clinical Value and Analytical Challenges
This review evaluates prealbumin's utility as a nutritional and prognostic marker, examining analytical methods from immunonephelometry to novel biosensor approaches. While its routine clinical use remains debated, prealbumin complements anthropometric assessment for malnutrition screening, particularly in acute care settings. The paper highlights measurement challenges posed by prealbumin's low serum concentration and short half-life.
The original study
Prealbumin: The clinical utility and analytical methodologies.
- Authors
- Ranasinghe RN, Biswas M, Vincent RP
- Journal
- Annals of clinical biochemistry
- Type
- Journal Article, Review
- PMID
- 32429677
Original abstract
Prealbumin is a small protein which has been widely evaluated as a nutritional and a prognostic marker. The small size and concentration of prealbumin in blood proposes challenges on measuring it with high sensitivity and specificity. Over the years, a number of analytical methodologies have been developed, which may help establish prealbumin as a useful biomarker in routine clinical practice. The aim of the short review was to explore the current literature on the clinical utility of prealbumin and the advances made in the analytical methodologies of prealbumin. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library for articles published between January 1980 and July 2019, with the general search terms of 'prealbumin', 'prognostic marker', 'nutritional marker', 'analytical methodologies' and 'malnutrition'. Additionally, we selected relevant articles and comprehensive overviews from reference lists of identified studies. The routine use of prealbumin in clinical practice remains debatable; however; it can complement clinical history, anthropometric assessment and physical examination to assess malnutrition with more certainty. Consensus on the clinical applications of prealbumin in the management of malnutrition is warranted.