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Comment on ‘Accuracy of segmental multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis for assessing whole-body and appendicular fat mass and lean soft tissue mass in frail women aged 75 years and older’

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 67, page 1007 (2013)Cite this article

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We read the article by Kim and Kim1 with great interest, who reported that segmental multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance (SMF-BIA) displayed acceptable accuracy for the estimation of whole-body and appendicular fat mass (FM) and lean soft tissue mass (LM) in Japanese frail older women. We consider their results particularly important, as avoiding the use of ‘general’ BIA prediction equations has been recommended across different ethnic populations, unless the validity of the equations have been tested.2 However, we needed to point out some methodological issues regarding the study before discussing the results presented.

SMF-BIA equations rely on body resistance, which can be strongly influenced by total body water changes.3 With aging, chronic diseases like hypertension and heart failure become more prevalent and diuretic use is not uncommon in the elderly. Although the study by Kim and Kim1 has several exclusion criteria, no clear statement about such medications and medical conditions that could infuse extracellular hydration exists in the article. Thus, we do not know whether these factors had any effect on the study outcomes.

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References

  1. Kim M, Kim H . Accuracy of segmental multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis for assessing whole-body and appendicular fat mass and lean soft tissue mass in frail women aged 75 years and older. Eur J Clin Nutr 2013; 67: 395–400.

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  2. Deurenberg P, Deurenberg-Yap M, Schouten FJ . Validity of total and segmental impedance measurements for prediction of body composition across ethnic population groups. Eur J Clin Nutr 2002; 56: 214–220.

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  3. Ward LC . Segmental bioelectrical impedance analysis: an update. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 2012; 15: 424–429.

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  4. Mijnarends DM, Meijers JM, Halfens RJ, ter Borg S, Luiking YC, Verlaan S et al. Validity and reliability of tools to measure muscle mass, strength, and physical performance in community-dwelling older people: a systematic review. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2013; 14: 170–178.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ankara Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Research and Training Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    V Binay Safer, N Ozgirgin & S Ozbudak Demir

  2. Department of Geriatrics, Gulhane School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey

    U Safer

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  1. V Binay Safer
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  2. N Ozgirgin
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  3. S Ozbudak Demir
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  4. U Safer
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Correspondence to V Binay Safer.

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Binay Safer, V., Ozgirgin, N., Ozbudak Demir, S. et al. Comment on ‘Accuracy of segmental multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis for assessing whole-body and appendicular fat mass and lean soft tissue mass in frail women aged 75 years and older’. Eur J Clin Nutr 67, 1007 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2013.135

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