Assessment of body composition using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in patients with liver cirrhosis: comparison with anthropometry.
- Author:
Seong Han JEONG
1
;
Jeong A LEE
;
Jin A KIM
;
Mun Woo LEE
;
Hee Bok CHAE
;
Won Jun CHOI
;
Hyoung Shik SHIN
;
Ki Hyeong LEE
;
Sei Jin YOUN
;
Sung Soo KOONG
;
Seon Mee PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Comparative Study
- Keywords:
Liver Cirrhosis;
Body Composition;
Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry;
Anthropometry
- MeSH:
Adipose Tissue/pathology;
Adult;
Aged;
Anthropometry;
Body Composition*;
Bone Density;
Case-Control Studies;
Comparative Study;
Densitometry, X-Ray;
Female;
Human;
Liver Cirrhosis/pathology*;
Liver Cirrhosis/metabolism*;
Male;
Middle Age
- From:The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine
1999;14(2):64-71
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes of body composition in cirrhotic patients. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and anthropometry were used, and the values obtained were compared. METHODS: Mid-arm fat and muscle areas were calculated by anthropometry in 66 cirrhotic patients and 94 healthy controls. In 37 of the cirrhotic patients and 39 of the controls, fat mass, lean soft tissue mass and bone mineral contents were measured with DEXA. RESULTS: The number of cirrhotic patients with measured values below the fifth percentile of normal controls was 21 (31.8%) by mid-arm fat area, six (9.1%) by mid-arm muscle area, 15 (40.5%) by fat mass and 0 (0%) by lean soft tissue mass. The fat mass in cirrhotic patients was less than in controls, whereas lean soft tissue mass and bone mineral content were not different. Fat depletion was severe in Child-class C patients and with severe ascites. Mid-arm fat area and fat mass showed close correlation (r = 0.85, p < 0.01), but mid-arm muscle area and lean soft tissue mass showed poor correlation (r = 0.32, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Cirrhotic patients showed lower fat component, with preserved lean soft tissue mass and bone mineral content. In clinical practice, the measurement of mid-arm fat area was useful for the assessment of fat mass.
