Phase Angle as a Nutritional Assessment Method in Patients with Hip Fractures: A Cross-Sectional Study

Phase angle, which is associated with cellular health, has attracted attention as a noninvasive and objective method for nutritional assessment. However, the association between malnutrition and phase angle in older inpatients with hip fractures has not been reported. Therefore, this study investigated this association in older inpatients (aged ≥65 years) with hip fractures and determined the cutoff phase angle for determining malnutrition.

This cross-sectional study retrospectively analyzed the data of 96 inpatients with hip fractures who were hospitalized in rehabilitation units after surgery (male, 29.4%; mean age, 82.4±6.2 years). Nutritional status was assessed using the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), with malnutrition defined as a GNRI ≥98. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to measure phase angles.

The phase angle was associated with malnutrition (B=-1.173; odds ratio=0.310; 95% confidence interval 0.58-0.83; p=0.015). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.71. The cutoff phase angle for malnutrition was 3.96° (sensitivity=0.85, specificity=0.63).

Phase angle could be an indicator of malnutrition in older inpatients with hip fractures. Our findings will help formulate rehabilitation strategies for these patients.