Research

Atherosclerosis and inflammation have been implicated in the alteration of pulsatile characteristics of blood vessels. Analysis of the arterial waveform can be resolved into an index of elasticity for both large (LAEI) and small (SAEI) arteries. SAEI is a novel marker of endothelial function and reduced SAEI is prognostic for cardiac events. Phase angle derived from bioimpedance analysis (BIA) is presumed to indicate cell membrane health and decreased phase angle correlates with increased mortality in PD patients. We evaluated 18 stable, established PD patients with both BIA (Quadscan 4000, BodyStat) and pulse wave analysis (CR2000, Hypertension Diagnostics Inc). We assayed serum and overnight PD effluent for IL-6 and TNFα by ELISA (R&D Systems). Lipid profile, serum albumin, and CRP were also measured.

Poor nutritional status is associated with declining lung function in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Phase angle (PhA), is a direct measure of the integrity of the cellular membrane and has been shown to be an important biomarker of cellular health and nutritional status in numerous clinical diseases. Furthermore, PhA reference values for a healthy population, stratified by body mass index (BMI), gender and age, exist, providing a prognostic potential.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) provides a simple method to assess changes in body composition. Raw BIA variables such as phase angle provide direct information on cellular mass and integrity, without the assumptions inherent in estimating body compartments, e.g. fat-free mass (FFM). Phase angle is a strong functional and prognostic marker in many disease states, but data in COPD are lacking. Our aims were to describe the measurement of phase angle in patients with stable COPD and determine the construct and discriminate validity of phase angle by assessing its relationship with established markers of function, disease severity and prognosis.

A woman’s risk at birth of having ovarian cancer at some point in her lifetime is 1–1.5% and mortality due to the disease is almost 0.5%. It accounts for 3% of all cancers in females. Despite a low contributory percentage, it remains the fifth leading cause of cancer related death. This is because most ovarian cancers are detected when they have spread beyond the ovary. Bioelectric Impedance Analysis (BIA) affords an emerging opportunity to assess prognosis because of its ability to non invasively assess cell and plasma membrane structure and function by means of phase angle.

Worldwide breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed life threatening cancer and the leading cause of death in women. Bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) affords an emerging opportunity to assess prognosis because of its ability to non invasively assess cell and plasma membrane structure and function by means of phase angle.

Aging patients with cancer have a higher risk of mortality and treatment-associated morbidity than younger patients. Nutrition status may play an important role in cancer mortality. We aimed to evaluate the survival time of elderly patients with colorectal cancer and its association with body mass index (BMI), the patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA), and phase angle (PA). Materials and Methods: BMI, PG-SGA, and PA were determined for all patients (n = 250) at first assessment.

Progressive loss of muscle mass is a major characteristic of cancer cachexia. Consensus definitions for cachexia provide different options to measure muscle mass. This study describes the effect of different methods to determine muscle mass on the diagnosis of cancer cachexia. In addition, the association of cachexia with other features of cachexia, quality of life, and survival was explored.

Prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men worldwide. A common problem faced by both clinicians and patients is that prostate malignancy does not cause symptoms until it metastasizes or become locally
advanced. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) one of the important screening tools is controversial as its low predictive value results in high number of unnecessary prostate biopsies.

Physical fitness is important for health and longevity, and it has been argued that measurements should be considered routinely in clinical practice. Yet, many general practioners (GPs) have too little time to engage in discussions around physical activity or fitness, let alone their measurement. However, BIA is a quick and simple measure and, if PhA is predictive of such outcomes, may offer a valuable alternative for GPs and other clinical practitioners. Despite various studies in other specific clinical populations, there is little research considering the typical person at elevatedrisk of cardiometabolic disease or type 2 diabetes who might present to a GP and be referred for exercise. As such, the aim of this study was to examine the predictive value of PhA with respect to these measures in a sample of exercise referral patients.

Heart failure is characterized by fluid disturbances. Changes in volume in the clinical practice are evaluated with fluid balance and weight measurements, but these do not reflect compartmental changes.