Relationship between phase angle, steatosis, and liver fibrosis in patients coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis C virus

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition, lipodystrophy, and dyslipidemia are prevalent characteristics in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection with or without previous treatment. Such a clinical condition can lead to the hypothesis of the presence of hepatic steatosis with possible progression to fibrosis and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Notably, a low phase angle (PA), evaluated by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), is an independent prognostic marker of clinical progression and survival in HIV-infected patients. AIM: To evaluate the relationship between PA and body composition with steatosis and hepatic fibrosis in HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected patients. METHODS: test was used for group comparisons, and Spearman's or Pearson's correlation test was used when appropriate. The significance level was set at 5%, and analyses were performed using SPSS version 21.0. When evaluated by sex, no significant correlations were found. CONCLUSION: PA determines the muscle function of HIV/HCV-coinfected patients, and the CAP values reinforce the association with lean mass, suggesting that patients require early nutritional interventions.