Association between phase angle and bone microarchitecture of the lumbar spine in older women with body composition abnormalities

• Grant number: 25/13937-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2025
• End date: September 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physical Education
• Principal Investigator: Vanessa Ribeiro dos Santos
• Grantee: Wilson Aparecido Tonelli Neto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia (FCT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Presidente Prudente. Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Reductions in muscle mass and bone mineral density (BMD), and increases in body fat that occur during aging, increase the risk of developing different diseases, such as sarcopenia, osteoporosis, obesity, osteosarcopenia, sarcopenic obesity, osteopenic obesity and osteosarcopenic obesity. Some of the differences in bone parameters may be related to the distribution of body components, especially muscle mass. The assessment of bone quality and estimation of fracture risk can be performed by an indirect textural index of trabecular microarchitecture in the lumbar spine capable of predicting fracture risk independently of density or bone mineral content, the trabecular bone score (TBS). The phase angle (PhA), which has been used as a parameter to assess cellular integrity in different clinical scenarios and is associated with several health outcomes, may also be relevant in the investigation of bone microarchitecture of the lumbar spine. Thus, the objective of this study is to analyze the association between the phase angle and the bone microarchitecture of the lumbar spine in older women with body composition abnormalities. The study will include 254 women aged 60 years or older participating in the BIA Brazil project: a national multicenter collaborative study, in the city of Presidente Prudente, SP. The variables investigated will be: (i) phase angle (PhA) (bioelectrical impedance); (ii) body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and bioelectrical impedance); iii) bone microarchitecture of the lumbar spine (trabecular bone score (TBS) - dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry); iv) control variables: age at menopause, use of hormone replacement therapy, history of falls and fractures, chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), use of medications, age, ethnicity, education, income, smoking habit and exercise practice (self-reported). Statistical calculations will be performed using SPSS software (SPSS inc. Chicago. IL), version 29.0 and the significance level will be set at 5%.