Use of a Durnin-Womersley formula to estimate change in subcutaneous fat content in HIV-infected subjects.
BACKGROUND
HIV-infected individuals may develop malnutrition or lipodystrophy, leading to losses of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT).


OBJECTIVE
We compared the ability of a Durnin-Womersley formula for total adipose tissue (TAT) to estimate change in SAT with the use of whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a criterion measure.


METHODS
We analyzed data from 2 clinical trials: a prospective randomized trial of protein supplements, progressive resistance training, or combined treatment in 29 malnourished, HIV-positive women, and a prospective open-label trial of recombinant human growth hormone in 25 HIV-infected subjects with visceral adipose tissue (VAT) accumulation. Changes in fat by the Durnin-Womersley formula and in SAT, TAT, and VAT by MRI were compared by linear regression, and Bland-Altman analyses were used to assess the agreement between the prediction and criterion methods. The repeatability of the Durnin-Womersley measurement was evaluated in 14 weight-stable, healthy adults studied twice within 1 y.


RESULTS
At baseline, Durnin-Womersley fat was significantly associated with SAT (r(2) = 0.75, P < 0.001) and TAT (r(2) = 0.79, P < 0.001) but not with VAT. Change in Durnin-Womersley fat was significantly associated with change in SAT (r(2) = 0.66, P < 0.001) and in TAT (r(2) = 0.57, P < 0.001) but not in VAT. The limits of agreement for the Durnin-Womersley estimation of change in SAT were -3.4 to 2.6 kg and the SEE was 1.5 kg. The SEE for repeated measures of SAT in healthy control subjects was 0.84.


CONCLUSIONS
The Durnin-Womersley formula can be used to predict change in SAT. The limits of agreement and the SEE for predicting change in SAT by MRI are approximately twice as great as the error of repeated Durnin-Womersley measures in control subjects.
Andrade
Shireen
S
Gastrointestinal Division, the Weight Control Unit, the Department of Medicine, St Luke's--Roosevelt Hospital Center, Columbia University of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, USA.
Lan
Shu Jan J
SJ
Engelson
Ellen S
ES
Agin
Denise
D
Wang
Jack
J
Heymsfield
Steven B
SB
Kotler
Donald P
DP
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008060:Lipodystrophy / Q000473:pathology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014891:Weight Lifting