Phase Angle Is Lower in Older Adults Living with HIV Compared to Geriatric Outpatients: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Background: Bioelectrical impedance analysis has been used to evaluate phase angle, which predicts cellular health and may even predict survival in people living with HIV. However, the relationship between the phase angle and geriatric syndromes is unclear. This study aims to evaluate geriatric syndromes and how they interact with issues affecting HIV patients by conducting a full geriatric evaluation and comparing phase angles. Methods: Fifty people living with HIV and 52 participants without HIV were included in the study. All participants underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment. BIA was used to determine the phase angle, which was then predicted from impedance measurements. Results: The mean age of people living with HIV was 60.0 ± 12.0 years, and that of participants without HIV was 60.0 ± 5.0 years in participants without HIV (p = 0.93). The number of drugs used by people living with HIV infection was considerably higher than that used by those in the HIV-negative group (p = 0.018). There was a statistically significant difference in the phase angle between without HIV and with HIV. The median [interquartile range (IQR)] phase angle was 7.4 [4.0] degrees, and it was 5.7 [3.2] degrees (p = 0.004). Conclusions: Phase angle measurements between people living with HIV and without HIV could provide valuable insights into overall health status treatment response and prognosis. Further large-scale research is to corroborate our findings.

Keywords: HIV; bioelectrical impedance; geriatric syndromes; people living with HIV (PLWH); phase angle.

Figure 1

ROC curves for models with vs. without PhA. PhA, phase angle; ROC, receiver operating characteristic.