Bioelectrical impedance analysis in clinical practice: implications for hepatitis C therapy BIA and hepatitis C.

Background: Body composition analysis using phase angle (PA), determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), reflects tissue electrical properties and has prognostic value in liver cirrhosis. Objective of this prospective study was to investigate clinical use and prognostic value of BIA-derived phase angle and alterations in body composition for hepatitis C infection (HCV) following antiviral therapy.

Methods: 37 consecutive patients with HCV infection were enrolled, BIA was performed, and PA was calculated from each pair of measurements.