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Phase angle assessment by bioelectrical impedance analysis and its predictive value for malnutrition risk in
Hacer Dogan Varan1, Basak Bolayir2, Ozgur Kara3
1Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, 06100, Ankara, Turkey. drhacerdogan84@hotmail.com.
Insights
Phase angle (PhA), a measure of cell membrane integrity, can predict malnutrition risk in older hospitalized patients. Lower PhA values indicate a higher risk, aiding in early nutritional intervention for this vulnerable group.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Nutritional Science
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Phase angle (PhA) from bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) reflects cell membrane integrity and body cell mass.
- Low PhA is linked to increased nutritional risk across patient populations.
- Limited research exists on PhA and nutritional risk in hospitalized geriatric patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the predictive value of PhA for malnutrition risk in hospitalized geriatric patients.
- To determine if PhA can serve as an independent indicator of malnutrition risk in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 122 hospitalized geriatric patients.
- Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and comprehensive geriatric assessments were conducted within 48 hours of admission.
- Nutritional risk was assessed using the NRS-2002 scale, with PhA values compared between risk groups.
Main Results:
- Patients identified with malnutrition risk exhibited significantly lower PhA values (p=0.003).
- Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis identified an optimal PhA cut-off of 4.7° for malnutrition risk.
- Body Mass Index (BMI), prealbumin, PhA, and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores were significant predictors of malnutrition risk.
Conclusions:
- Phase angle (PhA) demonstrates utility as an independent predictor of malnutrition risk in hospitalized geriatric patients.
- PhA measurement offers a valuable, non-invasive tool for early identification of nutritional risk in this population.
Background:
Phase angle (PhA) value determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is an indicator of cell membrane damage and body cell mass. Recent studies have shown that low PhA value is associated with increased nutritional risk in various group of patients. However, there have been only a few studies performed globally assessing the relationship between nutritional risk and PhA in hospitalized geriatric patients. The aim of the study is to evaluate the predictive value of the PhA for malnutrition risk in hospitalized geriatric patients.
Methods:
One hundred and twenty-two hospitalized geriatric patients were included in this cross-sectional study. Comprehensive geriatric assessment tests and BIA measurements were performed within the first 48 h after admission. Nutritional risk state of the patients was determined with NRS-2002. Phase angle values of the patients with malnutrition risk were compared with the patients that did not have the same risk. The independent variables for predicting malnutrition risk were determined. SPSS version 15 was utilized for the statistical analyzes.
Results:
The patients with malnutrition risk had significantly lower phase angle values than the patients without malnutrition risk (p = 0.003). ROC curve analysis suggested that the optimum PhA cut-off point for malnutrition risk was 4.7° with 79.6 % sensitivity, 64.6 % specificity, 73.9 % positive predictive value, and 73.9 % negative predictive value. BMI, prealbumin, PhA, and Mini Mental State Examination Test scores were the independent variables for predicting malnutrition risk.
Conclusions:
PhA can be a useful, independent indicator for predicting malnutrition risk in hospitalized geriatric patients.
