Body composition in patients with short bowel syndrome: an assessment by bioelectric impedance spectroscopy (BIS) and dual-energy absorptiometry (DXA).
OBJECTIVE
To describe body composition in patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) by using bioelectric impedance spectroscopy (BIS), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurements and anthropometrical-derived estimates.


METHODS
In all, 19 patients were included, mean age 54 y, range 36-77 (F/M=11/8). Mean BMI was 21.5 kg/m(2). Eight patients were on home parenteral nutrition (HPN).


METHODS
Total body water (TBW), intracellular water and extracellular water were assessed by BIS. TBW were derived from DXA. Fat-free mass (FFM) was assessed by BIS and DXA. TBW and FFM were predicted according to an empirical formula. Differences were analysed using the Bland-Altman method.


RESULTS
The mean difference between TBW (DXA) and TBW (BIS) was -1.1 l in women and -1.8 l in men. For FFM, the mean difference between FFM (DXA) and FFM (BIS) was -1.7 kg in women and -2.5 kg in men. The mean difference between TBW (DXA) and TBW (BIS) for all patients was -1.2 l and limits of agreement were (-7.80-5.40). Hydration of FFM assessed by BIS gave a mean of 0.75 (0.08).


CONCLUSIONS
The limits of agreement (Bland-Altman) between DXA and BIS were wide, indicating that methods are not interchangeable, which limits its clinical utility. Most of our patients with SBS were maintained in a stable clinical condition within normal limits of body weight and BMI. FFM and TBW did not appear to be altered in ileostomates or those on HPN.
Carlsson
E
E
Department of Surgery, University of Göteborg, Sweden. eva.carlsson@mbox308.swipnet.se
Bosaeus
I
I
Nordgren
S
S
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D001825:Body Fluid Compartments / Q000502:physiology; D001834:Body Water / Q000378:metabolism; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016331:Parenteral Nutrition, Home; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012778:Short Bowel Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013548:Sweden