Phase angle variability on bleeding risks in hemodialysis patients

Background: This study investigated the association between Phase Angle (PhA), measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis, and bleeding risk in hemodialysis patients to evaluate PhA as a predictive marker for bleeding events.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 102 hemodialysis patients who underwent PhA measurements between July 2019 and April 2024. Demographic data, medical histories, dialysis parameters, and bleeding events were collected. Patients were stratified by PhA values and followed for a median of 832 days (IQR: 516-1304 days). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis were performed.

Results: The cohort had an average age of 74.0 years and a median dialysis vintage of 6.7 years. During follow-up, 19 patients (18.6%) experienced major bleeding events. Lower PhA was an independent risk factor for bleeding (HR: 0.24, 95% CI 0.11-0.52, p < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with PhA ≥ 4.00 had a higher probability of remaining free from major bleeding at 2 years (94.3%) compared to those with PhA < 4.00 (75.0%) (p < 0.001). In 82 patients with repeat PhA measurements, bleeding event-free rates at 2 years were 97.5%, 75%, 100%, and 78.3% for the High to High, High to Low, Low to High, and Low to Low groups, respectively (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: PhA is a predictive marker for bleeding risk in hemodialysis patients. Routine PhA monitoring could help stratify bleeding risk and optimize clinical management.