Improving the nutritional evaluation in head neck cancer patients using bioelectrical impedance analysis: Not only the phase angle matters

Abstract Background Malnutrition and sarcopenia are highly prevalent in patients with head neck cancer (HNC). An accurate early diagnosis is necessary for starting nutritional support, as both are clearly associated with clinical outcomes and mortality. We aimed to evaluate the applicability and accuracy of body composition analysis using electrical bioimpedance vectorial analysis (BIVA) for diagnosing malnutrition and sarcopenia in patients with HNC cancer undergoing systemic treatment with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Methods Cross‐sectional, observational study that included 509 HNC patients. A comprehensive nutritional evaluation that included BIVA was performed. Results The prevalence of malnutrition was higher in patients that received treatment with chemotherapy (59.2% vs. 40.8%, P