PD613 - PHASE ANGLE AS A PREDICTOR OF SARCOPENIA
PD613
PHASE ANGLE AS A PREDICTOR OF SARCOPENIA
I. Mendes1, J. Lopes1, M. Ferreira1, B. Vale1, F. Correia1, I. Sousa2, R. Carvalho1,*
1Nutrition Department, 2Endocrinology and Nutrition Department, Divino Espirito Santo Hospital , Ponta Delgada, Portugal
Rationale: Phase angle (PhA) is a bioimpedance-derived marker of cell membrane integrity, body cell mass, and fluid distribution, and is associated with nutritional status. Higher values are observed in tissues with high intracellular water content, such as skeletal muscle. Sarcopenia is characterised by progressive loss of muscle mass, strength, and function. This study aimed to compare PhA and sarcopenia index between healthy healthcare professionals and patients with chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Methods: A total of 202 adults (73.3% female) were evaluated in an outpatient hospital setting, using multi-frequency tetrapolar bioimpedance (TANITA MC-980®). Recruited participants were patients with NCDs (n=100) and healthy healthcare professionals (n=102). Data collected included age, BMI, fat mass percentage, total and skeletal muscle mass, visceral fat level, sarcopenia index, and PhA. Sarcopenia index was calculated by dividing appendicular skeletal muscle mass by height squared. Statistical analysis was conducted using KNIME Analytics Platform.
Results: PhA was positively correlated with total muscle mass (rS=0.35), skeletal muscle mass (rS=0.44), and sarcopenia index (rS=0.36) (p<0.001). Patients exhibited significantly lower PhA, higher age, and higher visceral fat levels compared to healthy individuals, but no significant differences were found in sarcopenia index. In males, patients were significantly older, had lower muscle mass, sarcopenia index, and PhA. In females, no significant differences were observed in muscle mass or sarcopenia index; however, patients had lower PhA and higher visceral fat than healthy individuals.
Conclusion: PhA may decrease prior to detectable reductions in muscle mass, particularly in females, suggesting its role as an early indicator of sarcopenia. The absence of differences in sarcopenia index highlights its limitation in capturing muscle quality and function, warranting further investigation.
Disclosure of Interest: None declared