Bioelectrical phase angle and impedance vector analysis – Clinical relevance and applicability of impedance parameters
Abstract
Background & aims The use of phase angle (PhA) and raw parameters of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) has gained attention as alternative to conventional error-prone calculation of body composition in disease. This review investigates the clinical relevance and applicability of PhA and Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis (BIVA) which uses the plot of resistance and reactance normalized per height. Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted using Medline identifying studies relevant to this review until March 2011. We included studies on the use of PhA or BIVA derived from tetrapolar BIA in out- and in-patient settings or institutionalized elderly. Results Numerous studies have proven the prognostic impact of PhA regarding mortality or postoperative complications in different clinical settings. BIVA has been shown to provide information about hydration and body cell mass and therefore allows assessment of patients in whom calculation of body composition fails due to altered hydration. Reference values exist for PhA and BIVA facilitating interpretation of data. Conclusion PhA, a superior prognostic marker, should be considered as a screening tool for the identification of risk patients with impaired nutritional and functional status, BIVA is recommended for further nutritional assessment and monitoring, in particular when calculation of body composition is not feasible.
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PhA is an indicator of the general health of cells and water distribution.
“The PhA is an indicator of the general health of cells [76] and water distribution [77].”
From Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, Dietary Patterns and Body Composition in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) (2019) · cites this paper as [76]
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- Authors
- Norman, K., Stobäus, N., Pirlich, M., & Bosy-Westphal, A.
- Affiliations
- Stiftung Charité (DE)
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (DE)
- Evangelisches Krankenhaus Königin Elisabeth Herzberge (DE)
- Venue
- Clinical Nutrition
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2012-12
- Volume
- 31
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 854-861
- ISSN
- 0261-5614 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2032959495
- Cited by
- 1,049
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 117 · 2025: 139 · 2024: 115 · 2023: 125 · 2022: 109 · 2021: 105 · 2020: 81 · 2019: 60 · 2018: 55 · 2017: 42 · 2016: 44 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 1.92
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Clinical Nutrition (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Body Composition Measurement Techniques
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Nutrition and Health in Aging
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Clinical Nutrition and Gastroenterology
- Keywords
- bioelectrical impedance vector analysis, body composition, hydration status, body cell mass, nutritional assessment, prognostic factors, mortality, postoperative complications, institutionalized elderly, reference values, nutritional screening
- MeSH terms
- Body Composition, Body Water, Humans, Nutritional Status, Prognosis, Reference Values, Water-Electrolyte Balance, Electric Impedance
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