Comparison between bioelectrical impedance analyses and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for accuracy in assessing appendicular skeletal muscle mass and diagnosing sarcopenia in hospitalized Chinese older adults

The aim of this study was to compare bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and investigate the accuracy of BIA in assessing appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) and diagnosing sarcopenia. A total of 90 elderly patients hospitalized in the Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University from 2019 to 2020 were collected, including 42 males and 48 females. All patients underwent BIA and DXA examinations. Pearson correlation and Bland-Altman analysis were used to compare the differences between BIA and DXA in assessing ASM and diagnosing sarcopenia. ASM measured by BIA was higher than ASM measured by DXA, and there was statistical significance for all differences (P < .001); Pearson correlation analysis showed that ASM measured by BIA and DXA was positively correlated in both male (R = 0.94) and female (R = 0.97) patients (P < .001); Bland-Altman analysis showed that there was a high consistency between ASM detected by BIA and DXA; The detection rate of low muscle mass and sarcopenia by BIA and DXA was not statistically significant (P > .05). BIA (InBody720) has high accuracy in assessing ASM and diagnosing sarcopenia in hospitalized Chinese older adults, and has the advantages of convenient use, no radiation, and easy promotion, so it can be used as an early screening tool in primary hospitals lacking DXA.