Body composition measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in patients who have undergone small-intestinal resection.
BACKGROUND
Patients who have undergone resection of the small intestine have lower body weight than do healthy persons. It remains unclear whether it is the body fat mass or the lean tissue mass that is reduced.


OBJECTIVE
We compared body-composition values in patients who had undergone small-intestinal resection with reference values obtained in healthy volunteers, and we studied the relation between body-composition estimates and the net intestinal absorption of energy.


METHODS
In a cross-sectional study, we included 20 men and 24 women who had undergone small-intestinal resection and had malabsorption of energy > 2000 kJ/d. Diagnoses were Crohn disease (n = 37) and other conditions (n = 7). Body composition was estimated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and data were compared with those from a reference group of 173 healthy volunteers. Energy absorption was measured during 48-h balance studies by using bomb calorimetry, and individual values were expressed relative to the basal metabolic rate.


RESULTS
Body weight and body mass index in patients were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the reference values. Fat mass was 6.4 kg (30%) lower (95% CI: -8.8, -3.9 kg), but lean tissue mass was only slightly and insignificantly lower (1.5 kg, or 3.3%; 95% CI: -3.7, 0.60 kg). Weight, body mass index, and body-composition estimates by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry did not correlate significantly with the net energy absorption relative to the basal metabolic rate, expressed as a percentage.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients who had undergone small-intestinal resection had significantly lower body weights and body mass indexes than did healthy persons, and they had significant changes in body composition, mainly decreased body fat mass.
Haderslev
Kent Valentin
KV
Department of Gastroenterology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark. khaderslev@dadlnet.dk
Jeppesen
Paller Bekker
PB
Sorensen
Henrik Ancher
HA
Mortensen
Per Brobech
PB
Staun
Michael
M
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D001481:Basal Metabolism; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D011184:Postoperative Period