Bioelectrical impedance phase angle as a predictor of survival in patients with advanced cancer

Bioelectrical impedance phase angle is a potentially sensible indicator of alterations in body composition due to malnutrition, frequent in advanced cancer patients. Malnutrition is characterized by changes in cellular membrane integrity and alterations in fluid balance leading to alterations in body composition. Aim of this study was to investigate the role of phase angle as a predictor of survival in patients with advanced cancer. Twenty patients (12 males, 8 females: age 50.2 ± 3.2 years, weight 51.9 ± 7.1 kg; BMI 19.8 ± 1.8 kg/m2), with advanced cancer were evaluated. Single-frequency BIA was carried out and the BIA variables, resistance (R), reactance (Xc) and phase angle (PhA), were measured. Some anthropometric and biochemical parameters were performed in all patients. Phase angle resulted strictly related (p <0.001) with survival time, slightly (p = 0.055) related with lymphocyte count, but not related with the other anthropometric and biochemical parameters evaluated. Identification of a predictor of survival in advanced cancer patients is important to improve the therapeutic programme for the disease. Phase angle seems to have a role as a marker of morbidity and mortality in a wide range of disease conditions. Similar studies on larger sample sizes are needed to further validate the prognostic significance of phase angle in advanced cancer patients. © 2009 Springer-Verlag.