THE COMPARISON OF DUAL-ENERGY X-RAY ABSORBTIOMETRY AND BIOELECTRIC IMPEDANCE ANALYSIS IN DETERMINATION OF BODY COMPOSITION IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

Chronic renal failure causes changes in body composition. Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorbsiometry (DEXA) and bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) are the techniques to evaluate body composition in chronic renal failure. In the present study, we aimed to perform comparative analysis of DEXA and BIA in determination of minor changes in body composition occurring during single dialysis session. Each patient was weighed and body composition was measured by DEXA and BIA before and after dialysis. When measurements before and after dialysis by DEXA were considered, changes in fat mass and bone mineral content were not statistically significant, whereas lean body mass and total weight measurements before and after dialysis differed significantly. BIA was considered, fat mass, lean body mass and water content before and after dialysis were found to be statistically significantly different. When results obtained by DEXA BIA were compared differences in means of EM and LBM were not statistically significant and they were found to be positively correlated. As a conclusion; DEXA is a quite sensitive technique in determination of FM, LBM and bone mineral content and can be used in dialysis patients to determine short and long term changes in body composition. Despite BIA is less reliable in determination of body composition, it can be still used in determination of dry weight in conjunction with clinical parameters since it is a noninvasive and easy to perform technique at bedside.