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Health issues and nutrition in the elderly

Phase angle and diabetes in community-dwelling older adults: cross-sectional analysis from the Malaysian elders longitudinal research (MELoR) study

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 76, pages 680–684 (2022)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the role of PhA in diabetes in a large population of older adults with a high prevalence of diabetes in order to gain new insights on the potential diagnostic and prognostic role of PhA in individuals with diabetes.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Teaching Hospital.

Participants

1085 individuals aged 55 years or over.

Measurements

Phase Angle was obtained using bioimpedance analysis with the Bodystat QuadScan® 4000. Diabetes mellitus was considered present with fasting hyperglycaemia (serum fasting glucose >6.66 mmol/l), HbA1c > 42 mmol/mol (6.1%), or self-reported Diabetes or the consumption of glucose-lowering agents.

Results

The mean age of the (standard deviation) of the 1,085 participants was 68.11 (7.12) years and 60.7% were women. Among male participants, individuals with PhA within the lowest quartile (PhA ≤4.9) were significantly more likely to have diabetes mellitus [odds Ratio (95% confidence interval, CI), 2.02 (1.17–3.47)] following adjustments for age, body mass index and other comorbidities. The above relationship was attenuated following further adjustment hypoglycaemic medications. Men on oral hypoglycaemic agents had significantly reduced PhA [mean difference (95% CI), −0.44 (−0.67 to −0.22)]. No significant relationship between PhA and diabetes existed among women.

Conclusion

The association between lower PhA (≤4.9) in men aged 55 and over and diabetes which is accounted for by oral hypoglycaemic agents. The mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear. This relationship should also be evaluated further to determine the potential of PhA as a prognostic tool for diabetes.

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Acknowledgements

The MELoR study is now the Transforming Cognitive Frailty to Later Life Self-Sufficiency (AGELESS) study, which was funded by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia Long Term Research Grant Scheme (LR005–2019) LRGS/1/2019/UM//1/1.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Healthy Aging and Wellness, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 50300, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Sumaiyah Mat

  2. Center for Innovation in Medical Engineering (CIME), Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Sumaiyah Mat, Maw Pin Tan & Fatimah Ibrahim

  3. Ageing and Age-Associated Disorders Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Sumaiyah Mat, Maw Pin Tan & Mas Sahidayana Mohktar

  4. Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Maw Pin Tan & Shahrul Bahyah Kamaruzzaman

  5. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Mas Sahidayana Mohktar & Fatimah Ibrahim

  6. Centre for Printable Electronics, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Fatimah Ibrahim

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Contributions

Conceived and/or designed the work that led to the submission, acquired data, and/or played an important role in interpreting the results.-FI, SBK, MPT, MM. Drafted or revised the manuscript. SM, MPT. Approved the final version. SM, FI, SBK, MPT, MM. Agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved SM, FI, SBK, MPT, MM.

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Correspondence to Sumaiyah Mat or Fatimah Ibrahim.

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Mat, S., Tan, M.P., Mohktar, M.S. et al. Phase angle and diabetes in community-dwelling older adults: cross-sectional analysis from the Malaysian elders longitudinal research (MELoR) study. Eur J Clin Nutr 76, 680–684 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-021-01020-2

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