Phase Angle Is Associated With Handgrip Strength but Not With Sarcopenia in Kidney Transplantation Patients

Objectives: Phase angle (PhA) is a cell health marker and has been associated with muscle mass and strength in non-kidney disease individuals. However, it is unknown whether PhA is a predictor of sarcopenia and its components in kidney transplantation patients. The aim of the present study was to associate PhA with sarcopenia and its components in kidney transplantation patients. Design and Methods: One hundred and twenty-nine kidney transplantation individuals were evaluated in a cross-sectional study. PhA and muscle mass were evaluated using bioelectrical impedance. Handgrip strength (HGS) was performed with a hand dynamometer and functional capacity with 4-m walk test. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the European Consensus Diagnostic Criteria for Sarcopenia. Participants were divided according to the PhA tercile, and 2 groups were evaluated: first versus second and third terciles, according to sex. The individuals in the first tercile had PhA values <5.8 degrees and <6.2 degrees for women and men, respectively. Results: Individuals in the lower tercile of PhA showed lower odds of having higher values of HGS (kg; odds ratio [OR]=0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.82-0.97) and higher odds to have low HGS (OR=5.97; 95% CI: 1.05-33.98). However, PhA was not associated with sarcopenia (OR=1.95; 95% CI: 0.71-5.39), low muscle mass index (OR=1.17; 95% CI: 0.41-3.36), and low functional capacity (OR=2.47; 95% CI: 0.45-13.48). Conclusion: PhA was associated with HGS but not with sarcopenia and its other components. These results suggest that PhA can be used as a possible predictor of muscle strength in kidney transplantation patients. (C) 2018 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.