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Review
. 2016 Oct 18;8(29):1205-1211.
doi: 10.4254/wjh.v8.i29.1205.

Nutritional evaluation in cirrhosis: Emphasis on the phase angle

Sabrina Alves Fernandes  1 , Angelo Alves de Mattos  1 , Cristiane Valle Tovo  1 , Claudio Augusto Marroni  1
Affiliations
Review

Nutritional evaluation in cirrhosis: Emphasis on the phase angle

Sabrina Alves Fernandes et al. World J Hepatol. .

Abstract

Protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM) is a common condition in cirrhotic patients, leading to a worse prognosis, complications, poor quality of life and lower survival rates. Among ways of assessing nutritional status, there are anthropometric methods such as the evaluation of the triceps skinfold, the arm circumference, the arm muscle circumference and the body mass index, and non-anthropometric methods such as the subjective global assessment, the handgrip strength of non-dominant hand, and the bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). PCM is frequently under-diagnosed in clinical settings in patients with cirrhosis due to the limitations of nutritional evaluation methods in this population. BIA is a useful method, but cannot be indicated in patients with abnormal body composition. In these situations, the phase angle (PA) has been used, and can become an important tool in assessing nutritional status in any situation. The PA is superior to anthropometric methods and might be considered as a nutritional indicator in cirrhosis. The early characterization of the nutritional status in patients with cirrhosis means an early nutritional intervention, with a positive impact on patients' overall prognosis. Among the usually accepted methods for nutritional diagnosis, the PA provides information in a quick and objective manner.

Keywords: Bioelectrical impedance; Malnutrition; Nutrition; Phase angle; Sarcopenia.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict-of-interest statement: Authors declare no conflict of interests for this article.

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