[Role of clinical data in NST: from the viewpoint of the clinical laboratory].

Serum albumin (Alb) sampling is used for patients who object to screening by NST. As Alb is decreased by malnutrition, it is available for nutritional assessment, reflecting the long-term nutritive condition. Recently, Alb was correlated with nutritional assessment proteins with RTP, like RBP, TTR and Tf. We recently set up a screening line of Alb < or =3.0g/dl; however, we will gradually elevate it to < or =3.5g/dl. The role of the medical technologist is to estimate the number of patients with < or =3.5g/dl, and investigate correlations between the Alb concentration and other markers, including ChE, TTR, TP and CRP.