Mediation effect of the duration of diabetes mellitus on the decrease in bioimpedance phase angles in ethnically...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Endocrinology
• Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

• Diabetes mellitus is a global health concern requiring effective monitoring tools.
• Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a non-invasive technique to assess body composition.
• Segmental phase angles (PhA) derived from BIA may reflect cellular integrity and health status.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of segmental phase angles (PhA) in screening for diabetes mellitus.
• To determine if PhA can be used to monitor the progression of diabetes.
• To investigate the relationship between PhA values and diabetes duration.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter clinical study involving 217 participants (158 with diabetes, 59 controls) aged ≥40 years.
• Segmental PhA values were measured using multifrequency bioimpedance at 5, 50, and 250 kHz.
• Statistical analyses included t-tests, ANOVA, moderated mediation modeling, and multivariate linear regression.

Main Results:

• Significantly decreased PhA values at 50 kHz were observed in individuals with diabetes compared to controls.
• The decrease in PhA was partially attributed to diabetes duration and aging.
• Diabetes duration significantly mediated the decrease in PhA, with varying effects across limbs and sexes.

Conclusions:

• Phase angle values at 50 kHz are reduced in people with diabetes.
• The decline in PhA values is exacerbated by longer diabetes duration.
• Bioimpedance-derived PhA offers a promising non-invasive method for monitoring diabetes mellitus progression.