Association of bioimpedance‐derived parameters with pulse wave velocity: Phase angle, extracellular to intracellular water ratio, and body cell mass

This study investigated the association between parameters derived from bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS) and arterial stiffness, as measured using carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) pulse wave velocities. Data from 292 Japanese adults were analyzed. BIS was used to assess the phase angle (PhA), extracellular water to intracellular water ratio (ECW/ICW), and body cell mass-to-free fat mass ratio (BCM/FFM). cfPWV and baPWV were measured using an Omron-Colin device. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the associations between BIS parameters and pulse wave velocity, adjusting for age, sex, height, smoking status, history of chronic diseases, and objectively measured physical activity. The results revealed that lower PhA, higher ECW/ICW, and lower BCM/FFM were significantly associated with higher cfPWV, independent of potential confounders. These associations remained significant even after adjusting for appendicular lean mass index. However, no significant associations were found between the BIS parameters and baPWV after controlling for covariates. These findings suggest that BIS-derived parameters reflecting cellular health and body composition are associated with increased arterial stiffness in the central arteries, independent of muscle mass. This association may partly explain the relationship between these parameters and mortality, thereby highlighting the importance of BIS assessment in health promotion. However, future longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings.