Low Phase Angle Predicts Poor Survival in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Abstract: Background The phase angle (PA) is an indicator of nutritional status derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Studies have shown that the PA is one of several factors related to the survival of cancer patients. However, the correlation between the PA and prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been reported. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the PA, nutrition-related indicators, and patient prognosis. Methods The data from 248 HCC patients who underwent BIA between January 2015 and December 2019 at the First Hospital of Jilin University were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the median PA value, then the nutrition-related indicators and overall survival (OS) were compared between the two groups. The correlations between the PA and laboratory test nutrition-related indicators and the results of a body composition analysis were determined using Pearson correlation analysis. Independent predictors of the patient prognosis were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results The median OS in the high and low PA groups were 70 and 54.6 months, respectively (P = 0.004). The Pearson correlation analysis revealed that the PA was associated with both laboratory test nutrition-related indicators and the results of a body composition analysis. The multivariable Cox regression analysis identified the PA as an independent risk factor affecting the prognosis of patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage A or B. Conclusion The PA is a good biomarker for the nutritional status. We found that the PA was associated with the prognosis in patients with HCC, with a low PA indicating a poor nutritional status and worse prognosis.