The role of phase angle in prevention of age-associated diseases

The role of phase angle in prevention of age-associated diseases

I.V. Kochetkova¹, S.G. Gorelik², A.N. Ilnitskyi³

Irina V. Kochetkova, e-mail: iri4217@yandex.ru

¹N.N. Burdenko Voronezh State Medical University, Voronezh

²Belgorod State National Research University, Belgorod

³Federal Scientific and Clinical Center of the Federal Medical Biological Agency of Russia, Moscow

Background: in the context of active search for reliable tools in predictive medicine of aging, phase angle (PhA) measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis, is of significant scientific and clinical interest. This parameter is an integral indicator of cellular health reflecting state of cell membranes, extracellular-to-intracellular fluid volume ratio, and overall functional integrity of tissues. Its potential as a gerontological and geriatric biomarker is associated with its ability to assess body vitality and resistance to age-related changes indirectly.

Aim: to conduct a comprehensive clinical and statistical analysis of prognostic significance of the phase angle to identify risks of age-associated diseases and functional decline in elderly patients.

Materials and Methods: the study was performed in a cohort of patients who underwent a multidisciplinary geriatric examination. The analyzed dataset included objective parameters of physical health (detailed anthropometric measurements, comprehensive laboratory indicators including inflammatory markers, and metabolic status), as well as psychological assessment using standardized scales (the Beck Depression Inventory and the Asthenic State Scale, SAS). Specialized StatTech v. 4.8.0 software was used for statistical analysis. The methodology included parametric and non-parametric methods for group comparisons, ROC analysis to assess diagnostic accuracy of PhA, and multivariate regression models to determine its independent prognostic value.

Results: the data analysis established significant correlations between lower phase angle values and progression of key geriatric syndromes such as sarcopenia, asthenia, and functional limitations. ROC analysis demonstrated that PhA has high discriminatory ability to predict a risk of significant functional decline. Furthermore, a low PhA value was found to be associated with elevated laboratory markers of chronic inflammation and metabolic disorders.

Conclusions: the results confirm that a decrease in Pha value to <5 degrees is a significant available clinical marker in women aged 55 years and older. This threshold value is associated with a high cumulative risk of comorbid cardiometabolic (including cardiovascular diseases and carbohydrate metabolism disorders) and psychosomatic (depression, chronic asthenia) conditions. Therefore, PhA integration into standard geriatric assessment may significantly enhance effectiveness of preventive strategies and personalized health management in elderly patients.

Keywords: phase angle, bioimpedance analysis, preventive gerontology, geriatric syndromes, integral health assessment.

For citation: Kochetkova I.V., Gorelik S.G., Ilnitskyi A.N. The role of phase angle in prevention of age-associated diseases. RMJ. 2026;2:17–23. DOI: 10.32364/2225-2282-2026-2-4