Phase angle of bioimpedance as a marker of inflammation in cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review

•Phase angle is inversely associated with inflammatory markers in cardiovascular diseases.•Increased levels of C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor-α are associated with a smaller phase angle.•The phase angle is a potential tool for identifying the inflammatory state in individuals with cardiovascular diseases. [Display omitted] The aim of this systematic review was to investigate whether phase angle (PhA) of bioelectrical impedance is associated with inflammatory markers in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). A search was performed in the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Latin American Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Web of Science and Scopus; and in the gray literature up to January 2022. Studies with individuals with CVDs were included, to evaluate the association between PhA and the inflammatory markers interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-18, IL-1β, IL-33, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, C-reactive protein (CRP), toll-like receptor (TLR) 2, TLR 4, nuclear factor κB, pathogen-associated molecular pattern molecules, lipopolysaccharides, interferon-γ–inducing factor, and JAK STAT. We identified 755 articles and, after an eligibility analysis, 5 studies were included. The inflammatory markers investigated in the studies were CRP, TNF-α, and IL-33. In patients with CVDs, PhA was negatively associated with CRP and TNF-α in 80% and 100% of the studies, respectively. The present results suggested that PhA is inversely associated with inflammatory markers in individuals with CVDs, and its clinical use is encouraged for better therapeutic planning.