Is Digital Image Plethysmographic (DIP) Acquisition a Valid New Tool for Preoperative Body Composition Assessment? A Validation by Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry

Abstract

, by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and by digital image plethysmographic (DIP) acquisition with a digital camera. The clear-colored body of the subjects was automatically converted into a front and lateral red-shaped figure, and then through algorithms the 2 pictures were transformed into a nominal volume; body weight was then divided by the estimated volume, so that the body density could be obtained. DXA was used as a comparison to assess fat mass and fat-free mass. Radiation exposure was <0.6 mSv.Results: Significant positive correlation (R= 0.971, P<0.001) was found between data of body composition obtained by DXA and DIP.Conclusions: Body volume assessed using DIP or DXA did not differ. According to this validation study, DIP represents a new promising tool for clinical applications.

Single Frequency Bioelectrical Impedance is a Poor Method for Determining Fat Mass in Moderately Obese Women

“…The technique is based on the differential attenuation of X-rays by a body. 12 Thus, we advocate the use of DEXA as a practical reference method for the measurement of %FM in moderately obese women. 8 In this way, DEXA directly distinguishes between the chemical characteristics of FM and FFM, alleviating the method of assumptions of biological constancy.…”