Phase angle is associated with advanced fibrosis in patients chronically infected with hepatitis C virus

Mariana de Souza Dorna1, Livia Alves Amaral Santos1, Fernanda Futino Gondo1

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Botucatu Medical School, UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, Brazil.

Life Sciences
|February 21, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Phase angle (PhA) predicts advanced liver fibrosis in hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients. A decrease in PhA significantly increases the risk of developing advanced liver fibrosis.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Biomarkers
  • Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant cause of liver disease.
  • Advanced liver fibrosis is a critical determinant of patient prognosis and treatment decisions.
  • Non-invasive markers for assessing liver fibrosis are highly sought after.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between phase angle (PhA) and advanced liver fibrosis in patients with chronic HCV infection.
  • To determine if PhA can serve as a predictor of significant liver fibrosis.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective evaluation of 135 patients with chronic HCV infection.
  • Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to measure PhA.
  • Analysis of biochemical markers and liver biopsy data for fibrosis staging.

Main Results:

  • Phase angle (PhA) was found to be a significant predictor of advanced liver fibrosis (OR: 0.227; p: 0.013).
  • Lower PhA values were associated with older age, increased insulin resistance, and higher inflammation.
  • Optimal PhA cut-off points for advanced fibrosis were identified as 6.43° overall, 5.94° for females, and 6.72° for males.

Conclusions:

  • Phase angle (PhA) is a valuable predictor of advanced liver fibrosis in patients with chronic HCV.
  • A one-degree decrease in PhA was associated with a greater than four-fold increase in the risk of advanced fibrosis.
  • PhA measurement via BIA offers a potential non-invasive tool for fibrosis assessment in HCV patients.
Abstract

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