TN04 BIOELECTRICAL IMPEDANCE PHASE ANGLE IN CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE AND LIVER TRANSPLANTATION

Introduction Phase Angle (PA), determined using bioelectrical impedance, may be altered in chronic liver disease. We aimed to determine whether 1. PA predicts survival in cirrhotic patients and 2. PA improves after nutritional support and transplantation. Methods Data were extracted from a prospective database of 252 cirrhotic patients referred for nutritional assessment and intervention (HCC excluded). Median age was 49 (16–73), 68% male. Aetiology was viral (55%), ALD (15%), cholestatic (11%), and other (19%), with median MELD 11 (6–36). Measurements included PA and total body protein (TBP). Patients were followed for a median 53 (4–93) months. Survival and logistic regression analysis were performed. Results 138 (55%) died or were transplanted during follow‐up. Low PA (<4.4%) was associated with worse survival (median 16 vs. 57 months, P = 0.02) independent of the MELD score (HR for MELD 1.18; 95% CI 1.05–1.32, P < 0.0001 and for PA 0.56; 95%CI 0.32–0.98, P = 0.046). In 93 patients followed for 100 days after nutritional intervention, TBP increased by 200g (P = 0.04) and PA increased from 4.8% to 5.2% (P = 0.0006). PA also increased from low to normal levels one year post‐OLT (4.9% to 5.7%, P = 0.0001, n = 69). Conclusion Low PA correlates with reduced TBP and a higher risk progression to transplantation or death. PA improves after nutritional support and transplantation.