These authors investigated the role of preoperative albumin levels in predicting common postoperative adverse outcomes in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty.
They found that the prevalence of malnutrition (albumin <3.5 g/dL) was twice as high in patients having revision compared to those having primary arthroplasty (36.6% vs. 19.5%).
Patients having primary reverse arthroplasty and higher ASA scores were more likely to be malnourished.
Patients who were malnourished had an increased incidence of extended length of stay and discharge to rehab/SNF.
These authors did not assess whether attempts to improve serum albumin preoperatively were effective in improving outcome of shoulder arthroplasty.
Other studies of the effect of malnutrition on arthroplasty outcomes can be found in this link and this link.
Each of these suggest the use of preoperative serum albumin as an important indication of nutritional status.
