Low Bioelectrical Impedance Phase Angle Is a Significant Risk Factor for Frailty

Abstract

The phase angle, which is measured via bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), is a clinically important bioimpedance parameter used for nutritional assessment and evaluating the risk of various diseases, such as locomotive syndrome (LS). It remains unclear if the phase angle is associated with frailty (fragile state of physical and mental health). We therefore examined this association in a large prospective sample. Of 1081 individuals receiving health checkups, 550 (male; 235, female; 365) were enrolled in this study. We applied the Japanese version of the Cardiovascular Health Study criteria to evaluate frailty and administered the 25-Item Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale to diagnose LS. The phase angle was measured via BIA. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between the phase angle and frailty. For all participants and for each sex, the phase angle was significantly lower among individuals with frailty. After controlling for age, sex, and body mass index, we found that a low phase angle was a significant risk factor of frailty. As a result of multiple regression analysis including other confounding factors, among male participants, a low phase angle was significantly related with both frailty (P = 0.015) and LS (P < 0.001), whereas among female participants, the low phase angle had a stronger association with frailty (P = 0.001) than with LS (P = 0.52). Our findings suggest that a low angle is a risk factor of frailty. Furthermore, among female participants, frailty has a stronger relation with the phase angle than does LS. Therefore, the phase angle may be considered a useful indicator of frailty that does not require lengthy or costly assessment.

Body Composition and Selected Nutritional Indicators in Healthy Adults—A Cross-Sectional Study

“…In addition, researchers obtained the trend of cyclical phase angle decrease with age for both sexes. 58 Lower PA values in women were also confirmed in other world reports, 59 , 60 in various ethnic groups. 61 …”

Decreased Bioimpedance Phase Angle in Patients with Diabetic Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 5

“…Generally, a low PhA may suggest deterioration of the cell membrane and cellular dysfunction. A low PhA is associated with frailty [15][16][17] as well as being associated with sarcopenia [18][19][20]. In this study, there was a significant association between the PhA and OH/ECW, but we excluded OH/ECW from the multivariate analysis.…”

A Randomized, Controlled Trial Comparing the Impact of a Low-Calorie Ketogenic vs a Standard Low-Calorie Diet on Fat-Free Mass in Patients Receiving an Elipse™ Intragastric Balloon Treatment

“…Our results indicate that the process of body weight loss is more physiologic in the experimental group that loses less FFM than the control group. Among the bioimpedance parameters measured with BIA, the phase angle (defined as the ratio of resistance (intracellular and extracellular resistance) to reactance (cell membrane-specific resistance) expressed as an angle) is a clinically important parameter used for nutritional assessment and for assessment of the risk of various disease [ 35 ]. Interestingly, as shown in Table 3 , herein, we found that patients who followed the LCD had a lower phase angle, at 4 months after EIGB placement, than patients who followed the LCKD.…”

“…Interestingly, as shown in Table 3 , herein, we found that patients who followed the LCD had a lower phase angle, at 4 months after EIGB placement, than patients who followed the LCKD. In our opinion, this finding is clinically relevant considering that the phase angle represents both the amount and quality of soft tissue, with a high phase angle reflecting higher cellularity, better cell heath and better nutritional status [ 35 ].…”