Improved assessment of body cell mass by segmental bioimpedance analysis in malnourished subjects and acromegaly.

BACKGROUND

Estimation of body cell mass (BCM) has been regarded valuable for the assessment of malnutrition.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the value of segmental bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) for BCM estimation in malnourished subjects and acromegaly.

METHODS

Nineteen controls and 63 patients with either reduced (liver cirrhosis without and with ascites, Cushing's disease) or increased BCM (acromegaly) were included. Whole-body and segmental BIA (separately measuring arm, trunk, leg) at 50 kHz was compared with BCM measured by total-body potassium. Multiple regression analysis was used to develop specific equations for BCM in each subgroup.

RESULTS

Compared to whole-body BIA equations, the inclusion of arm resistance improved the specific equation in cirrhotic patients without ascites and in Cushing's disease resulting in excellent prediction of BCM (R(2) = 0.93 and 0.92, respectively; both P<0.001). In acromegaly, inclusion of resistance and reactance of the trunk best described BCM (R(2) = 0.94, P<0.001). In controls and in cirrhotic patients with ascites, segmental impedance parameters did not improve BCM prediction (best values obtained by whole-body measurements: R(2)=0.88 and 0.60; P<0.001 and <0.003, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Segmental BIA improves the assessment of BCM in malnourished patients and acromegaly, but not in patients with severe fluid overload.