Human Environments Analysis Lab (HEAL)
Title
Is phase angle an appropriate indicator of malnutrition in different disease states? A systematic review
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-2019
Journal
Clinical Nutrition ESPEN
Volume
29
First Page
1
Last Page
14
URL with Digital Object Identifier
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2018.10.010
Abstract
Background & aims
Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) classifies malnutrition severity via a simple bedside assessment. Phase angle (PhA) is an indicator of cell integrity and has been suggested to be indicator of nutritional status.
Objective
To explore the relationship between PhA and SGA.
Methods
Relevant studies published through October 31, 2017 were identified using 7 electronic databases. Articles were included for review if they included comparison data between SGA and PhA within adult disease populations. Evidence quality was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) guidelines and methodological quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) tool.
Results
33 articles within four disease states (liver, hospitalization, oncology and renal) met inclusion criteria for review. Results were limited by restricting the database search to articles published in English only, and by the inherent difficulty of comparing 2 methods which are both influenced by the operator.
Conclusion
Based on GRADE guidelines, evidence quality received a grade of Low. Based on QUADAS-2, 61% of studies had high risk of bias in the index test (PhA), while all other domains had low risk. It is not possible to conclude that PhA is an accurate independent indicator of malnutrition.
