Author
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Lukaski, Henry |
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Submitted to: Acta Diabetologia
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/2003 Publication Date: 10/1/2003 Citation: Lukaski, H.C. 2003. Regional bioelectrical impedance analysis: Applications in health and medicine. Acta Diebetologia. 40:S196-S199. Interpretive Summary: Interest in the routine measurement of muscle mass in humans remains high. Although methods are available to determine limb and whole body muscle mass are available, they suffer from practical limitations such as lack of general availability, cost, radiation exposure, and requirement for skilled operators. In contrast, safe, cost effective approaches such as measurement of limb circumference and skin fold thicknesses are not accurate. The application of the bioelectrical impedance method has provided more accurate determinations of limb muscle volume and mass in adults and women undergoing weight loss. A recent finding is that the bioelectrical impedance method provides functional measures of integrated nerve and muscle function in health people and patients with progressive neuromuscular disease. Importantly, the proposed bioelectrical measures apparently indicate improvement and deterioration of neuromuscular function in patient before traditional diagnostic signs. These new findings suggest a novel role for bioelectrical impedance not only in estimating limb muscle volume but also is monitoring muscle integrity and function in patients with altered neuromuscular function. This information will be useful to nutritionists seeking to assess limb muscle mass or volume as well as clinicians monitoring effects of therapeutic interventions in patients with chronic muscle disabilities. Technical Abstract: Although skeletal muscle mass represents the largest organ in the human body and plays a critical role in energy metabolism, its routine assessment has been limited by the availability of practical methods. This review critically evaluates traditional and new applications of the four-electrode bioelectrical impedance method to determine regional skeletal muscle mass or volume and to assess muscle function in health and disease. It also highlights opportunities for research in the use of regional bioelectrical impedance. |
