Phase Angle Using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis for Predicting Survival in Patients with Metastatic Cancer

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to identify the validity of phase angle as a prognostic factor for survival in patients with metastatic cancer. Methods Data of patients with metastatic cancer who visited the Korean medicine cancer center at Kyung Hee University Hospital in Gangdong from April 2016 to February 2018 were collected for this study. The values of phase angle (PhA) and blood hemoglobin (Hb), C-reactive protein (CRP), and serum albumin levels were also investigated by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Results In total, 86 patients were analyzed. The cut-off value of the phase angle was determined as 5.0. Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that phase angle (HR 3.15, 95% CI 1.79-5.54) and CRP (HR 2.15, 95% CI 1.24-3.73) predicted survival with statistical significance. The median overall survival of the low PhA group (PhA≤5.0) was 1.8 months (95% CI 0.6-2.9 months) and 7.2 months (95% CI 5.2-9.2 months) in the high PhA group (PhA>5.0)(p<0.001). Conclusions The phase angle could be an independent prognostic factor for patients with metastatic cancer. Further research is required to confirm these findings and their correlation with other indexes. Keywords: bioelectrical impedence analysis (BIA), phase angle, palliative care, prognostic factor, metastatic cancer