TF and nutritional deficiency disease: Short survivors had significantly lower mean albumin (3.1 vs. 3.5 g/dL, p < 0.001), transferrin (156.6 vs. 186.6 mg/dL, p < 0.001) and total cholesterol levels (151.2 vs. 164.0 mg/dL, p = 0.003), indicating a possibly more pronounced state of malnutrition.