Phase angle is a predictor of functional outcomes at discharge in patients with acute ischemic stroke

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between phase angle (PhA) at admission and functional outcomes at discharge in patients with acute ischemic stroke. This single-center, prospective cohort study measured PhA and skeletal muscle index (SMI) in patients with acute ischemic stroke using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Functional outcomes were assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at discharge, with mRS scores of 3-5 difined as poor functional outcomes. The association between PhA or SMI and poor functional outcomes was analyzed for male and female patients. This study included 287 patients (195 males, 92 females). Logistic regression indicated that PhA, but not SMI, was independently correlated with poor functional outcomes at discharge (males : OR : 0.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] : 0.34-0.98, p = 0.041, females : OR : 0.31, 95% CI : 0.12-0.80, p = 0.015). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis determined PhA cutoff values for poor functional outcomes : 4.70 in males (sensitivity : 0.627, specificity : 0.680, area under curve [AUC] : 0.674) and 3.70 in females (sensitivity : 0.467, specificity : 0.830, AUC : 0.712). PhA was identified an independent predictor of poor functional outcomes at discharge in patients with acute ischemic stroke, and it was superior to SMI in this regard. J. Med. Invest. 72 : 148-155, February, 2025.