Measuring Muscle Mass to Identify Sarcopenia Via Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis in Hemodialysis: Importance of Timing and Equipment Choice

Measurement of muscle mass is an integral part of sarcopenia diagnosis. Bioelectrical impedance analysis has been commonly used for muscle mass assessment in many clinical and research settings as it is non-invasive, practical, and portable. However, one of the major handicaps of this measurement technique is that the validity and precision of bioelectrical impedance analysis measurements can be afected by hydration status. In hemodialysis patients, the volume status fuctuates easily and continuously, which is most signifcant between the immediate pre-dialysis and post-dialysis periods. Thus, a signifcant diference in the results of bioelectrical impedance analysis measurement is obviously expected between that obtained before and afer hemodialysis. In fact, many centers perform measurements before hemodialysis, since it is more convenient for both staf and patients. However, the confounding efect of excess water on correct bioelectrical impedance analysis estimations seems substantial. For this reason, it seems more appropriate to perform bioelectrical impedance analysis measurements in chronic hemodialysis patients when they are closer to their dry weight, i.e., afer the dialysis rather than before it. Accordingly, we searched the literature to identify the ideal timing of bioelectrical impedance analysis measurements in patients undergoing hemodialysis. The literature data on this subject indicate that performing bioelectrical impedance analysis measurements in the period afer 15 minutes and within 2 hours afer hemodialysis session will aid in a better estimation of muscle mass in terms of reliability and reproducibility.

Cite this article as: Özkök S, Bahat G. Measuring muscle mass to identify sarcopenia via bioelectrical impedance analysis in hemodialysis: Importance of timing and equipment choice. Turk J Nephrol. 2024;33(2):140-144.