Low phase angle is associated with 60‐day mortality in critically ill patients with COVID‐19

Background Malnutrition status, body composition indicators, and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) parameters have been associated with increased risk of death in several pathologies. The aim of this study was to describe the associations between phase angle (PhA) indicators obtained by BIA with length of hospital stay, days on mechanical ventilation, and 60‐day mortality in critically ill patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). Methods This is a prospective cohort of mechanically ventilated patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). We assessed nutrition risk and body composition with BIA within 48 h from intensive care unit admission. Logistic and linear regression models were used to analyze the association between variables and clinical outcomes. Survival analysis by PhA value was performed using Kaplan‐Meier curves. Results Sixty‐seven patients were included. PhA (odds ratio [OR], 0.36; P = .002), standardized PhA (SPA) (OR, 0.45; P = .001), and extracellular water/total body water ratio (OR, 3.25; P = .002) were significant predictors of 60‐day mortality. PhA