F46 Phase angle as indicator of sarcopenia in Huntington´s disease

Abstract

<h3>Rationale</h3> Risk for or established malnutrition is frequent in Huntington´s disease (HD), accompanied by functional limitations, increased morbidity, and mortality. Phase angle is associate with changes in the structure of the cell membrane of soft tissue mass, alterations in fluid balance and it has been shown as an indicator of prognostic clinic in multiple health conditions. Our objective was to investigate the association between phase angle and sarcopenia. <h3>Method</h3> Cross-sectional, observational study. Self-ambulatory, symptomatic HD patients were included. Frailty and sarcopenia were diagnosed based on established parameters, including the Strength, Assistance walking, Rise from a chair, Climb stairs, and Falls questionnaire (SARC-F) screening questionnaire, grip strength, and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and body composition and phase angle by multifrequency Bioimpedance device SECA mBCA 525 (Hamburg, Germany). <h3>Result</h3> Thirty-seven HD patients with a mean age of 53 ± 12 years, BMI = 24.31 ± 2.91; calf circumference = 34.45 ± 2.91 cm, waist circumference = 83.84 ± 11.89 cm, phase angle value = 5.77 ± 0.77 φ, Skeletal Muscle Mass/height^2 = 7.67 ± 1.45 kg/m^2, grip strength = 23.05 ± 11.02 kg, and SPPB = 9,54 ± 2.39 were included. SARF-C was positive for frailty in 12 (32%) subjects. In adjusted logistic regression models for each point of phase angle the probability of not having sarcopenia increased by 7.518 (1.356 - 41.688) times (p = 0.02). <h3>Conclusion</h3> Phase angle can be a valuable indicator for screening sarcopenia in HD. Further longitudinal studies are required to confirm these preliminary results.