Phase angle as a screening method for sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults

Ângulo de fase como método de triagem para sarcopenia em idosas ativas de comunidade

ABSTRACT

Objective

We investigated the utility of the phase angle as a screening tool for sarcopenia.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study that included 169 active community-dwelling elderly women. The phase angle was determined using tetrapolar bioelectrical impedance, and sarcopenia was diagnosed based on skeletal muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance using bioelectrical impedance analysis, a handheld dynamometer, and the gait speed test, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to investigate the role of the phase angle as a predictor of sarcopenia.

Results

The prevalence of sarcopenia was 12.4%. The median phase angle was 5.30°; elderly women with sarcopenia had lower phase angles than those without sarcopenia (p=0.006). The phase angle cutoff for the detection of sarcopenia was ?5.15°, with an area under the curve of 0.685, sensitivity 81.0%, specificity 60.8%, and accuracy 63.31%. Elderly women with a low phase angle show a high risk of presenting with reduced muscle mass.

Conclusions

The phase angle was shown to be a useful screening tool in elderly women with sarcopenia.

Keywords
Aged; Electric Impedance; Sarcopenia