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Phase angle and mortality: a systematic review

Abstract

Background/objectives

The phase angle, expressed through bioelectrical impedance, has been studied as a prognostic marker in several health conditions. As this issue is still conflicting, the question whether this parameter correlates with mortality in the most diverse clinical situations remains. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship between phase angle and mortality through a systematic review of the literature.

Subjects/methods

This research was conducted in electronic databases (Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane, Lilacs, Scielo, e Scopus), and included studies that had phase angle as a variable of interest and mortality/survival as an outcome. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers and disagreements were assessed by a third reviewer.

Results

Forty-eight of 455 papers were assessed and an amount of 42 showed a correlation between phase angle and mortality.

Conclusions

Phase angle seems to be a good indicator for mortality in many clinical situations and can be used in screening individuals prone to this outcome.

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Acknowledgements

We are thankful to the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre.

Author contributions

L.M.G. and F.D.A. designed the study, collected and analyzed the data, interpreted the data, wrote, read, and approved the final version of the article. I.S.P., G.C.S., and N.C. contributed to the work conception and design, interpreted and analyzed the data, contributed to the writing of the article, revised critically, read, and approved the final manuscript.

Funding

This study was funded by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq). and Fundo de Incentivo a Pesquisa (FIPE).

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Correspondence to Gabriela C. Souza.

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Garlini, L.M., Alves, F.D., Ceretta, L.B. et al. Phase angle and mortality: a systematic review. Eur J Clin Nutr 73, 495–508 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-018-0159-1

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