Correlation between muscle masses measured by chest computed tomography and bioelectrical impedance analysis in older adults

Background and aims. There is a scarcity of research investigating the relationship between thoracic muscles and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)-measured muscle mass specifically in older adults. Thus, the objective of this study is to assess the association between muscle measurements obtained from chest computed tomography (CT) scans and BIA in older adults. Methods. The retrospective study included outpatients who previously applied to the geriatrics outpatient clinic of a university hospital, who were evaluated with BIA and who had a chest CT for any reason within 3 months before or after the BIA. Cross-sectional muscle area at Th10 and Th12 was obtained from chest CT images.Results. The median age of the 83 patients was 73.0 (25p-75p: 69- 79), and 51.8% (n = 43) were female. By CT, from Th10 median for cross-sectional area (CSA) was 81.7 cm2 (25p-75p: 61.5-95.3); from Th12, median for CSA was 93.1 cm2 (25p-75p: 70-107.6). At both thoracic vertebrae levels, muscle masses were correlated with muscle mass obtained by BIA in all participants, those with normal handgrip strength, those who were obese and non-obese, and those with normal SMI. Conclusions. Muscle masses measured with BIA and CT correlated in older adults. It should be noticed that the thoracic muscles will also diminish if muscle mass measured by BIA decreases in older adults. Since BIA offers significant advantages in terms of non-invasiveness, portability, cost, time efficiency, ease of use and safety profile it can be a valid alternative to CT scans for thoracic muscle mass measurement.