Standardized Phase Angle Research Articles

Phase angle and body composition in long-term type 1 diabetes in adults: a comparative study in a Brazilian public reference outpatient clinic

IntroductionType 1 Diabetes Mellitus (DM1) affects a small percentage of the population. Nevertheless, its prevalence is currently growing with alarming data on uncontrolled cases. The importance of body composition and Phase Angle (PA), assessed by Bioelectrical Impedance (BIA), in long- term DM1 patients lies in the fact that alterations in cellular integrity and body compartments may affect risk profiles and metabolic control. The objective of this study was to compare PA and body composition parameters between adults with DM1 and healthy controls.MethodsA comparative study was carried out in a public university outpatient clinic including a cohort of adult patients of both sexes diagnosed with DM1 and healthy controls matched by age and sex in a 2:1 ratio. Anthropometric measurements included weight, height and BMI. Using the raw BIA data of Resistance and Reactance, fat-free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), fat-free mass index (FFMI), fat mass index (FMI), PA and standardized PA (SPA) were calculated. Means or medians were compared between the groups. Regression models were used to identify distinguishing characteristics of the groups and associations within the DM1 group (i.e. glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), disease duration, presence of microvascular complications, capillary blood glucose, BMI and FMI).Results88 patients with DM1and 46 healthy controls were evaluated. PA (6.05 vs. 6.85, p = 0.000) and SPA (-1.47 vs. -0,37, p = 0.000) were lower in patients with DM1 compared to healthy controls. People with DM1 displayed higher adiposity (%FM = 29.6 vs. 27.6, p = 0.016; FMI = 7.00 vs. 6.33, p = 0.016) and lower %FFM compared to healthy controls. Most of the differences were maintained after sex stratification; however, men with DM1 showed a lower FFMI than male controls (18.2 vs. 20.16, p = 0.029).ConclusionPatients with DM1 present lower PA than healthy controls, which may be related to worse cell membrane integrity. Significant body composition differences between the groups and between sexes were identified, with data showing greater adiposity in women with DM1 and men displaying lower muscle mass. These findings suggest the importance of including PA and body composition evaluations in the follow-up of patients with DM1. The ultimate goal is to obtain a better metabolic control and, consequently, a better prognosis.

Phase angle is a predictor of overall 5-year survival after head and neck cancer surgery

ObjectiveTo evaluate the ability of the variables Muscle Mass percentage (%MM), Body Fat percentage (%BF), Phase Angle (PhA), and Standardized Phase Angle (SPhA) to predict overall survival rates in individuals with surgically treated HNC. MethodsA prospective cohort study of surgically treated HNC patients was carried out between 2017 and 2022 at a cancer referral center in Feira de Santana, Bahia. All subjects were seen by an experienced dietitian the week before surgery. During this visit, patients had their sociodemographic and clinical data collected, as well as anthropometric measurements (weight and height) and BIA variables. In this study, postoperative overall 5-year survival was defined as the time in months between the date of surgery and the date of death, regardless of the cause of death. Patients were followed up after surgery until death. ResultsSeventy-eight older adult patients were consecutively included. Patients had a median age of 65.5-years, were mostly men (83.3%), and most had low education levels (62.3%) and low household income, ranging from zero (19.2%) to the minimum wage (60.2%). They were mostly alcohol drinkers (91%) and tobacco smokers (87.2%). Glottic cancer was diagnosed in 48.7% of patients, with 44.8% of cases with stage-IV disease. Forty (51.2%) deaths were recorded in the follow-up period, with a median survival time of 39 months. Variables %MM, %BF, and SPhA were not significantly different between groups (alive vs. dead patients). PhA was considered an independent predictor of overall survival, with an accuracy of 69% (95% CI 0.57‒0.80). When comparing survival curves, patients with a preoperative PhA < 6.8° were more than twice as likely to die during follow-up (HR = 2.38; p = 0.02; 95% CI 1.14‒4.97). ConclusionOut of the assessed BIA variables, preoperative PhA was considered a good predictor of overall survival after HNC surgery. Level of evidence3.

Standardized phase angle: relationship with functionality, muscle mass and postoperative outcomes in surgical cancer patients.

To evaluate the association of standardized phase angle (SPA) with nutritional status, functional parameters, and postoperative outcomes in surgical cancer patients. This prospective study includes 59 cancer patients from Pelotas (Brazil) admitted for elective cancer surgery. We obtained the phase angle through Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) and standardized it according to the population's reference values. We estimated the muscle mass using BIA for later calculation of the Skeletal Muscle Index (SMI) and performed handgrip strength (HGS) and gait speed (GS) tests. We used the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) to assess the nutritional status. Postoperative complications and duration of hospital stay were evaluated as the outcomes. The prevalence of malnutrition in the sample was 28.8%, according to ASG-PPP. SPA was statistically lower in patients with malnutrition, with lower HGS and reduced GS. For postoperative outcomes, patients with severe complications and those with prolonged hospitalization also had lower SPA values. The greater the number of functional alterations in patients, the lower the SPA value, mainly when associated with reduced muscle mass assessed by BIA, suggesting that muscle mass reduction plays an important role in the association between functional alterations and phase angle in patients with cancer. According to the parameters used in this study, low SPA value was associated with impaired nutritional and functional status and negative outcomes in the analyzed sample.

Prognostic value of bioelectrical impedance analysis in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: a VALOR® study.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) serves as a method to estimate body composition. Parameters such as phase angle (PA), standardized phase angle (SPA), body mass cell (BCM), BCM index (BCMI), and fat-free mass (FFM) might significantly impact the prognosis of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. The present study aimed to investigate whether bioelectrical parameters can be used to predict survival in the HNC population and establish the optimal cutoff points for predictive accuracy. A multicenter observational study was performed across 12 tertiary hospitals in Andalusia (a region from the south of Spain). A total of 494 patients diagnosed with HNC between 2020 and 2022 at different stages were included in this study, with a minimum follow-up period of 12 months. The BIA assessment was carried out during the first 2 weeks of radical radiotherapy treatment with chemotherapy or other systemic treatments. A multivariate logistic regression analysis of overall survival, complications, hospital admission, and palliative care and its relationship with BIA nutritional assessment was performed. Significant prognostic factors identified in the multivariable analysis encompassed phase angle (PA), standardized phase angle (SPA), body cell mass (BCM), and BCM index (BCMI). Lower PA and BCM values were significantly associated with adverse clinical outcomes. A BCM threshold above 17 kg/m2 was the most significant predictor for predicting survival within the overall HNC population. The PA values of <5.1° in male and <4.8° in female patients showed the best predictive potential for mortality. Increased PA (as a continuous variable) demonstrated a significantly reduced risk for mortality (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.43-0.94; p < 0.05) and a decreased likelihood of hospital admission (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.52-1.07; p < 0.05). Higher BCM correlated with a lower risk of mortality (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.80-0.96; p < 0.01) and a diminished probability of hospital admission (OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.83-0.99; p < 0.05). BIA is a crucial tool in the nutritional assessment of HNC patients. BCM and PA are the main bioelectrical parameters used to predict clinical outcomes in this population. Future studies are needed to validate BIA variables in a large cohort to ensure whether early intensification of nutritional treatment would improve survival.

An Investigation of the Role of Phase Angle in Malnutrition Risk Evaluation and Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Head and Neck or Brain Tumors Undergoing Radiotherapy

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the role of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and phase angle measurement in assessing malnutrition in head and neck (n = 37) and brain (n = 63) tumor patients received radiotherapy. Common nutritional screening and assessment tests were used to identify malnutrition in the patients. Each patient underwent these tests once, along with phase angle measurement. Additionally, inflammation parameters, including neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic inflammatory index (SII), were calculated. All study results were correlated with the phase angle cutoff point of 5.72°. The phase angle demonstrated significant correlations with subjective global assessment (SGA), mini nutritional assessment (MNA) scores, BIA parameters, nutritional index, NLR, and SII (p < 0.05). Moreover, in head and neck tumor patients, those with higher standardized phase angle values exhibited significantly better two-year overall survival (32.1% vs. 87.5%, p = 0.006). The phase angle measurement is a convenient, noninvasive, and reproducible method that can complement existing tools for assessing malnutrition risk in radiotherapy patients. The significant correlations observed between the phase angle and various nutritional, inflammation markers and prognosis highlight its potential utility. Further studies incorporating a larger patient cohort will be beneficial in establishing a standard phase angle reference value for cancer patients.

Independent effect of fat-to-muscle mass ratio at bioimpedance analysis on long-term survival in patients receiving surgery for pancreatic cancer.

Malnutrition and alteration of body composition are early features in pancreatic cancer and appear to be predictors of advanced stages and dismal overall survival. Whether specific patient characteristics measured at the preoperative bioimpedance analysis (BIA) could be associated with long-term outcomes following curative resection has not been yet described. In a prospective multicenter study, all histologically proven resected pancreatic cancer patients were included in the analysis. BIA was measured for all patients on the day before surgery. Demographics, perioperative data, and postoperative outcomes were prospectively collected. Patients who experienced 90-day mortality were excluded from the analysis. Survival data were obtained through follow-up visits and phone interviews. Bioimpedance variables were analyzed according to the overall survival using the Kaplan-Meier curves and the univariate and multivariate Cox regression model. Overall, 161 pancreatic cancer patients were included. The median age was 66 (60-74) years, and 27.3% received systemic neoadjuvant treatment. There were 23 (14.3%) patients malnourished in the preoperative evaluation. Median OS was 34.0 (25.7-42.3) months. Several bioimpedance variables were associated with OS at the univariate analysis, namely the phase angle [HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.74-0.98)], standardized phase angle [HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.82-0.99)], and an increased ratio between the fat and lean mass (FM/FFM) [HR 4.27, 95% CI 1.10-16.64)]. At the multivariate analysis, the FM/FFM ratio was a confirmed independent predictor of OS following radical resection, together with a positive lymph nodal status. Alteration of body composition at the preoperative bioimpedance vector analysis (BIVA) can predict dismal oncologic outcomes following pancreatic resection for cancer.

Phase angle as a prognostic indicator in critically ill children: A systematic review.

Phase angle (PhA) may reflect the integrity of cellular membranes, hydration status, and total body cell mass. Studies have shown that PhA can be used as a good predictor for evaluation of disease severity in critically ill adults. However, there is a lack of studies assessing the association between PhA and clinical outcomes in critically ill children. This systematic review described the association between PhA at pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission with clinical outcomes in critically ill children. The search was conducted using PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE and LILACS until July 22, 2022. Studies that evaluate the association between PhA at PICU admission in critically ill children and clinical outcomes were eligible. Data regarding population, study design, setting, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) protocol used, PhA classification, and outcome analysis were extracted. Risk of bias was assessed by Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Among the 4669 articles screened, five prospective studies were included. The studies have shown association between lower values of PhA at PICU admission with longer PICU and hospital length of stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, septic shock, and higher mortality risk. Small sample size, different clinical conditions, and methodological differences of the studies regarding BIA equipment and cutoffs of PhA were observed. Although the studies have limitations, the PhA has a potential role in predicting clinical outcomes in critically ill children. Larger studies with standardized PhA protocols and other relevant clinical outcomes are necessary.

Survival Analysis According To The Standardized Phase Angle In Hematological Patients Assessed During Nutritional Screening At The Hospital Admission.

Survival Analysis According To The Standardized Phase Angle In Hematological Patients Assessed During Nutritional Screening At The Hospital Admission.

The Role of Standardized Phase Angle in the Assessment of Nutritional Status and Clinical Outcomes in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Compared with the phase angle (PA), the predictive ability of the standardized phase angle (SPA) in assessing nutritional status and clinical outcomes in cancer patients remains uncertain. This review aimed to assess (1) the relationship between SPA and nutritional status and clinical outcomes (including complications and survival) in cancer patients; (2) the predictive ability of SPA alone and in comparison with the predictive ability of PA; and (3) the cut-off value of SPA in cancer patients. Studies that addressed the relationship of SPA use to nutritional status, complications, and survival in cancer patients were searched and identified from six electronic databases (PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library). The included studies were considered to meet the following criteria: English studies with original data that reflected the effects of SPA on nutritional status and clinical outcomes (including complications and survival) and reported a cut-off value of SPA in cancer patients aged ≥18. Thirteen studies that included a total of 2787 participants were evaluated. Five studies assessed the relationship between SPA and nutritional status, and four of them reported a positive relationship between SPA and nutritional status in cancer patients, even considering SPA as a predictor. Twelve studies assessed the relationship between SPA and clinical outcomes in cancer patients. Two-thirds of the studies that evaluated complications reported the predictive ability of SPA; 30% of survival studies reported a positive relationship, 40% reported SPA as a predictor, and 30% reported no relationship. The standard cut-off value for SPA has not yet been determined. Data from the selected studies suggest that SPA might be a predictor of nutritional status. Further studies are needed to determine the value of SPA in predicting nutritional status and clinical outcomes in cancer patients.

Survival Analysis According to the Standardized Phase Angle Measured By Bioimpedanciometry to Estimate Body Composition in Patients with Hematological Malignancies during Nutritional Screening at Hospital Admission

Survival Analysis According to the Standardized Phase Angle Measured By Bioimpedanciometry to Estimate Body Composition in Patients with Hematological Malignancies during Nutritional Screening at Hospital Admission

Association of indirect measurement of cell function by bioimpedance analysis with complications in oncologic hepatic surgery

BackgroundBioelectric impedance vector analysis (BIVA) is a reliable tool to assess body composition. The aim was to study the association of BIVA-derived phase angle (PA) and standardized PA (SPA) values and the occurrence of surgery-related morbidity. MethodsPatients undergoing hepatectomy for cancer in two Italian centers were prospectively enrolled. BIVA was performed the morning of surgery. Patients were then stratified for the occurrence or not of postoperative morbidity. ResultsOut of 190 enrolled patients, 76 (40%) experienced postoperative complications. Patients with morbidity had a significant lower PA, SPA, body cell mass, and skeletal muscle mass, and higher extracellular water and fat mass. At the multivariate analysis, presence of cirrhosis (OR 7.145, 95% CI:2.712–18.822, p < 0.001), the Charlson comorbidity index (OR 1.236, 95% CI: 1.009–1.515, p = 0.041), the duration of surgery (OR 1.004, 95% CI:1.001–1.008, p = 0.018), blood loss (OR 1.002. 95% CI: 1.001–1.004, p = 0.004), dehydration (OR 10.182, 95% CI: 1.244–83.314, p = 0.030) and SPA < −1.65 (OR 3.954, 95% CI: 1.699–9.202, p = 0.001) were significantly and independently associated with the risk of complications. ConclusionIntroducing BIVA before hepatic resections may add valuable and independent information on the risk of morbidity.

FOOD TOLERANCE AND NUTRITIONAL RISK AFTER SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY AND ROUX-EN-Y GASTRIC BYPASS IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH SEVERE OBESITY: A PROSPECTIVE, RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL.

Bariatric surgery is still controversial in elderly patients with severe obesity. Most publications focus on safety and early clinical outcomes. Food tolerance and nutritional postoperative risk is unknown for this population. Thirty-six elderly patients with severe obesity were recruited for an open-label randomized trial from September 2017 to May 2019 comparing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) to Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (LRYGB). Food tolerance was accessed by Quality of Alimentation (QoA) questionnaire and data on weight loss, body composition, and nutritional risk were collected between 6 and 24 months after surgery. Comparing LSG to LRYGB patients, the latter had higher total weight loss (22% vs 31%, P=0.01) and excess weight loss (53% vs 68%, P=0.01). Food tolerance to eight food groups was similar between groups (14 vs 15 points, P=0.270), as Suter score (23 vs 25, P=0.238). Daily protein intake was below recommendation in both groups (40 vs 51 g/d, P=0.105). Nutritional risk, evaluated through Standardized Phase Angle (-1.48 vs -1.99, P=0.027), was worse for LRYGB group. Food tolerance and adequacy of food consumption were similar in both groups. LRYGB patients had higher nutritional risk.

Does Body Position Influence Bioelectrical Impedance? An Observational Pilot Study

As the availability of various bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) tools is increasing, the patient’s position during the test may be of significant importance for the comparability of the results. An observational pilot study was undertaken between March and May 2021 at the Center for Innovative Research in Medical and Natural Sciences at the University of Rzeszow, Rzeszów, Poland. All participants (n = 49: M: 21.05 y ± 1.12 vs. F: 21.34 y ± 2.06) were subjected to measurements of selected nutritional status indicators and body components in three positions: lying, sitting and standing. The body composition indicators were obtained using a bioelectrical impedance device, AKERN BIA 101 Anniversary Sport Edition Analyzer (Akern SRL, Pontassieve, Florence, Italy). The results were analyzed using dedicated software (BodygramPlus 1.2.2.12 from AKERN 2016, Florence, Italy). Our observations indicate that there is a significant difference between lying and standing as well as sitting and standing with respect to anthropometric and nutritional indicators (resistance, reactance, phase angle, standardized phase angle, body cell mass index and fat-free mass index) and body composition components, with particular reference to intracellular and extracellular water. The described differences are significant for both sexes. This study showed that this significantly influenced the scores of components directly related to resistance, reactance and hydrated cell mass, while not affecting the percentages or absolute values of fat and fat-free mass.

Is the standardized phase angle a predictor of short- and long-term adverse cardiovascular events in patients with acute myocardial infarction? A cohort study

ObjectivesAcute myocardial infarction (AMI) is myocardial necrosis resulting from myocardial ischemia, and its risk factors are usually a combination of the consumption of tobacco, inadequate diet, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle, in addition to preexisting comorbidities. These risk factors may compromise cellular integrity, affecting physiologic and nutritional components. The phase angle (PhA) has been measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to identify the quality of the cell membrane and the distribution of body fluids. The aim of this study was to verify if the standardized PhA (SPhA) is a predictor of short- and long-term adverse cardiovascular events in patients after AMI. MethodsThis was a prospective cohort study including hospitalized adult patients with a diagnosis of AMI. Demographic, clinical, and nutritional data were collected. The PhA was calculated through the measuring of the resistance (R) and reactance (Xc) from BIA, and it was adjusted based on reference values for sex and age, presenting, therefore, the SPhA. Low SPhA was defined as that <10th percentile of distribution. Hospital length of stay (LOS) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE), such as new hospital admission for unstable angina, new MI, and cardiovascular mortality, were observed. The sample comprised 153 patients, with a mean age of 61.2 ± 12.6 y, with 57.5% being older adults. ResultsFifteen patients with low SPhA (values <–3.10) had a longer LOS compared with those with normal SPhA (median 14 versus 8 d, P = 0.007), and shorter time for the occurrence of death (320 versus 354 d, P = 0.024). In the multivariate analysis, an association was observed between SPhA and longer LOS (hazard ratio, 9.25; P = 0.005), but not with mortality and MACE (P > 0.05 for all). ConclusionSPhA was a predictor of longer LOS, but not of long-term adverse cardiac events in patients following AMI.

Standardized Phase Angle for Predicting Nutritional Status of Hemodialysis Patients in the Early Period After Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation.

BackgroundThis study was designed to verify whether early posttransplant standardized phase angle (SPhA) determines nutrition status of hemodialysis patients in regard to different nutritional markers and predicts handgrip strength (HGS) 6 months after kidney transplantation.MethodsA total of 82 kidney transplant recipients on maintenance hemodialysis treatment entered the study. Nutritional status was evaluated before kidney transplantation, at the hospital discharge date, and 6 months after. We used bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), three different malnutrition screening tools, HGS, and anthropometric measurements. Demographic profiles and biochemical nutritional markers were collected. SPhA values, adjusted for age and BMI, were used in our study.ResultsIn the early posttransplant period, kidney transplant recipients lost muscle mass, gained fat mass, and developed mostly negative SPhA, accompanied by significantly lower albumin levels. The subjects with lower than median (<-1.46) SPhAdis [the SPhA (at discharge) adjusted for hospitalization time and the baseline SPhA] displayed lower values of albumin concentration (43.4 vs. 45.1 g/l, p = 0.010), hemoglobin (124 vs. 133 g/l, p = 0.016), GNRI (113 vs. 118, p = 0.041), and HGS (30 vs. 33 kg, p = 0.043). These patients had higher ferritin concentrations (420 vs. 258 mkmol/l, p = 0.026), longer inpatient stays (32 vs. 21 days, p < 0.001), and higher MIS scores (3 vs. 1, p = 0.001).ConclusionAt the moment of hospital discharge, lower than the median SPhA is related to protein-energy wasting, represented as lower concentrations of nutrition biomarkers and an active inflammatory response. Higher SPhA before kidney transplantation predicts HGS 6 months after kidney transplantation, especially in women.

Morphofunctional and Molecular Assessment of Nutritional Status in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Systemic Treatment: Role of Inflammasome in Clinical Nutrition.

Simple SummaryMalnutrition in patients with head and neck cancer is associated with worse clinical evolution and prognosis. Accurate nutritional assessments allow for early-identification of patients at risk of malnutrition. We aimed to perform a novel morphofunctional nutritional evaluation, including molecular analysis in patients with head and neck cancer who are undergoing systemic treatment. A morphofunctional nutritional assessment includes bioimpedance, anthropometric, ultrasound and biochemical measurements. We observed that malnutrition induces a profound alteration in the gene-expression pattern of inflammasome-machinery components, which are related with clinical nutritional parameters. This molecular analysis should be further studied as potential targets for nutrition-focused treatment strategies in cancer patients.Malnutrition in patients with head and neck cancer is frequent, multifactorial and widely associated with clinical evolution and prognosis. Accurate nutritional assessments allow for early identification of patients at risk of malnutrition in order to start nutritional support and prevent sarcopenia. We aimed to perform a novel morphofunctional nutritional evaluation and explore changes in inflammasome-machinery components in 45 patients with head and neck cancer who are undergoing systemic treatment. To this aim, an epidemiological/clinical/anthropometric/biochemical evaluation was performed. Serum RCP, IL6 and molecular expression of inflammasome-components and inflammatory-associated factors (NOD-like-receptors, inflammasome-activation-components, cytokines and inflammation/apoptosis-related components, cell-cycle and DNA-damage regulators) were evaluated in peripheral-blood mononuclear-cells (PBMCs). Clinical-molecular correlations/associations were analyzed. Coherent and complementary information was obtained in the morphofunctional nutritional assessment of the patients when bioimpedance, anthropometric and ultrasound data were analyzed. These factors were also correlated with different biochemical and molecular parameters, revealing the complementary aspect of the whole evaluation. Serum reactive C protein (RCP) and IL6 were the most reliable parameters for determining patients with decreased standardized phase angle, which is associated with increased mortality in patients with solid malignancies. Several inflammasome-components were dysregulated in patients with malnutrition, decreased phase angle and dependency grade or increased circulating inflammation markers. A molecular fingerprint based on gene-expression of certain inflammasome factors (p27/CCL2/ASC) in PBMCs accurately differentiated patients with and without malnutrition. In conclusion, malnutrition induces a profound alteration in the gene-expression pattern of inflammasome-machinery components in PBMCs. A comprehensive nutritional assessment including novel morphofunctional techniques and molecular markers allows a broad characterization of the nutritional status in cancer patients. Profile of certain inflammasome-components should be further studied as potential targets for nutrition-focused treatment strategies in cancer patients.

Morphofunctional assessment of malutrition in cancer patients: analysis of prognostic factor

Rationale: Patients with advanced cancer have a high mortality related to different prognostic factors related to their disease and clinical situation. Phase angle (PhA), standardized phase angle (SPhA) and hydration status have been related to mortality in patients with several diseases. Inflammation, a consequence of cancer, affects fluid status and can be identified with PhA. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive role of PhA on 1 year survival.

Low phase angle is associated with 60-day mortality in critically ill patients with COVID-19.

BackgroundMalnutrition status, body composition indicators, and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) parameters have been associated with increased risk of death in several pathologies. The aim of this study was to describe the associations between phase angle (PhA) indicators obtained by BIA with length of hospital stay, days on mechanical ventilation, and 60‐day mortality in critically ill patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2).MethodsThis is a prospective cohort of mechanically ventilated patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). We assessed nutrition risk and body composition with BIA within 48 h from intensive care unit admission. Logistic and linear regression models were used to analyze the association between variables and clinical outcomes. Survival analysis by PhA value was performed using Kaplan‐Meier curves.ResultsSixty‐seven patients were included. PhA (odds ratio [OR], 0.36; P = .002), standardized PhA (SPA) (OR, 0.45; P = .001), and extracellular water/total body water ratio (OR, 3.25; P = .002) were significant predictors of 60‐day mortality. PhA <3.85° in females and <5.25° in males showed good and fair discrimination, respectively, for mortality prediction. Using cutoff values, low PhA was associated with a significantly increased risk of 60‐day mortality (hazard ratio, 3.08; 95% CI, 1.12–8.41; P = .02). No association was detected for SPA.ConclusionLow PhA values could be a predictor of 60‐day mortality in critically ill patients with COVID‐19. This biological marker could be incorporated as part of nutrition and mortality risk assessment in this population.

Exercise capacity and its relationship with body composition and nutrition status in patients with interstitial lung disease.

Patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) are known to have diminished exercise ability. This study aimed to explore the relationship between nutrition status and body composition parameters with exercise capacity in ILD patients. A second aim focused on assessing the appropriateness of surrogate markers of nutrition status in ILD patients. Disease severity was determined by the percentage of predicted forced vital capacity. Exercise capacity was determined using 6-minute walk distance. Nutrition status was assessed using the subjective global assessment (SGA), standardized phase angle (SPhA), and impedance ratio z-score (z-IR). Bioelectrical impedance analysis estimated body composition parameters. 45 of 79 participants (57%) were malnourished according to the SGA. FFM index z-score (z-FFMI) (r = 0.42, P = .02) and SGA (r = 0.49, P < .01) were significant predictors of exercise capacity independent of disease severity. Age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.1; 95% CI, 1.01-1.25; P = .04), low body mass index (OR = 0.73; 95% CI, 0.57-0.92; P = .01), z-FFMI (OR = 0.34; 95% CI, 0.17-0.68; P < .01), and body fat mass index z-score (OR = 0.39; 95% CI, 0.17-0.91; P = .03) were significantly associated with severe malnutrition. There was no significant difference in SPhA across SGA groups; however, a higher z-IR (poorer cell health) significantly increased the odds of severe malnutrition (OR = 2.75; 95% CI, 1.27-6.03; P = .02). In ILD patients, malnutrition and loss of FFM negatively impact the ability to perform activities of daily living.

The use of bioelectrical impedance analysis to predict post-operative complications in adult patients having surgery for cancer: A systematic review

Patients undergoing surgery for cancer are at particular risk of post-operative complications. The pre-operative period is an opportunity to identify and mitigate risk factors and improve outcome. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) may offer an additional means of identifying patients at risk of post-operative morbidity. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the use of measures and estimates of body composition determined by BIA as markers of peri-operative risk in adult patients undergoing elective surgery for cancer. This review was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. The electronic databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, CENTRAL and the Web of Science were searched from inception. Studies of adult participants having elective surgery for cancer were included if participants underwent BIA in the peri-operative period and were assessed for post-operative complications. 2578 studies were identified, of which 12 were eligible for inclusion. In total the studies report data from 1508 subjects. Five studies examined phase angle or standardized phase angle, six examined derived measures and one examined both. Eight of the 12 demonstrated an association between phase angle and/or body composition and an increased risk of post-operative complications. Bioelectrical impedance analysis in the peri-operative period may be useful in predicting the risk of complications following elective cancer surgery. Phase angle more consistently demonstrates an association than derived estimates. Further high quality studies are needed and should report the raw impedance values, standardized phase angle and the equations used to derive body composition.