Phase angle measured by electrical bioimpedance and global cardiovascular risk in older adults: Phase angle and cardiovascular risk

AIM: Population aging is a worldwide phenomenon associated with physiological and metabolic changes that contribute to the increased prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The phase angle (PA) is a variable calculated by bioelectrical impedance analysis, interpreted as a direct measure of cell stability. The objective of the present study was to investigate the correlation of PA with the anthropometric measures, metabolic profile and the cardiovascular risk estimated by the Global Cardiovascular Risk Score in the elderly population. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 402 patients aged >60 years (70.4 ± 6.9 years, 74% female) treated in primary care. Patients were evaluated by blood pressure, anthropometric measurements and body composition. The score of the risk and the stratification of the cardiovascular risk were calculated using the criteria from the Framingham Heart Study. RESULTS: Age, systolic blood pressure, neck circumference and fat-free mass correlated with PA in female patients. In men, age and systolic blood pressure were the variables that correlated with the PA in the bivariate analysis. In the multiple linear regression, for the female group the risk score presented an independent variation with PA (P = 0.051) and age (P < 0.0001). The same correlation was observed for the male group both for PA (P = 0.042) and age (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The present data show an independent association of PA with overall cardiovascular risk in the elderly population. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 732-737.