Body composition analysis by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in female diabetics differ between manufacturers

Abstract

Objective: Comparison of body composition results by two dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) instruments, namely QDR-2000 from Hologic Inc and DPX from Lunar in subpopulations of lean and obese subjects. Design: Cross-sectional study with 85 female diabetics (BMI 18–43 kg/m²) measured with both DXA instruments. Results: The regression lines for fat tissue mass (FTM), FAT% and total body bone mineral content (TBMC), but not lean tissue mass (LTM), were different from the line of identity (P<0.01). However, the relationships were high (r²>0.95), and the corresponding SEE%’s were low (0.8–4.8%), and were independent of BMI. FTM and FAT% measured by the QDR-2000 were 10% higher, and LTM and TBMC 6% lower, than by DPX (P<0.001). Conclusions: There were lack of agreements between total body composition results by DPX Lunar, and QDR-2000 Hologic Inc. Individual results on the two systems cannot be directly compared. Standardization of body composition measurements by DXA is strongly needed.