The Potential of Phase Angle as a Nutritional Assessment Tool and Prognostic Factor in Patients with Gastrointestinal Cancers

Malnutrition is a common finding in patients with cancer and can significantly affect disease progress and patients’ survival. Gastrointestinal Cancers (GIC) are amongst the most common cancer types. In gastroin-testinal cancer patients, the prevalence of malnutrition has been estimated to be around 39-67%. Body composition reflects the nutritional status. Bio-Impedance Analysis (BIA) is a noninvasive, time- and cost-effective technique to analyse body composition. This review paper aims to critically summarise the currently available clinical data on the efficiency of the easily obtainable BIA measure, Phase Angle (PA), in the evaluation of malnutrition in GIC patients and on disease progression and prognosis. PubMed database was thoroughly searched, in order to identify clinical studies that explore the role of BIA- derived raw data and weight loss on disease prognosis and progress, as well on assessing malnutrition. Phase angle may be used as a nutritional screening tool in patients with gastrointestinal cancers. However, it cannot distinguish between stages of cachexia. Concerning the role of PA as a prognostic factor, current studies show that PA may be used as a prognostic factor of survival, yet further studies are needed for firm conclusions regarding post-operative complications and disease characteristics. Due to the fact that gastrointestinal cancers are a group of various cancers, further studies should be undertaken, in order to evaluate the role of BIA and PA on all gastrointestinal cancer sites and types.