Multivariable analysis showed that among patients discharged alive, a decrease in sodium from admission to discharge (P = .0081), sodium ≤125 mEq/l at discharge [hazard ratio (HR) 1.42; P = .0382], albumin <3.5 g/dl at admission (HR 1.48; P < .0001), metastatic stage (HR 1.37; P = .0004), emergency admission (HR 1.20; P = .0390), discharge to hospice (HR 2.57; P < .0001), lung cancers (HR 1.51; P = .0044) and metastatic disease (HR 1.37; P = .0004) were associated with poorer overall survival. Here, ALB is linked to metastatic neoplasm.