Influence of the type of electrodes in the assessment of body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis in the supine position
Y.M. Dupertuis, Amanda Gomes Pereira, V.L. Karsegard, Alexandra Hemmer, Emma Biolley, Tinh‐Hai Collet, Laurence Genton
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS: The main source of error in body composition assessment of bedridden patients by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is the electrode inadequacy and placement. As electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes are often used for BIA measurements, this study aimed to compare three of them with a reference BIA electrode. METHODS: BIA was performed sequentially on 24 healthy subjects in the supine position, using 3 different ECG electrodes (3M® Red Dot® 2330; Ambu® BlueSensor 2300; Ambu® BlueSensor SU-00-C) and the reference electrode (Bianostic AT®) for the BIA device (Nutriguard-M®, Data Input, Germany). Resistance (R), reactance (Xc), phase angle (PhA), appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASMI), fat-free mass index (FFMI) and fat mass percentage (FM%) obtained with the different electrodes were compared using Bland-Altman plots, repeated measures one-way ANOVA and paired t-test. Patient characteristics potentially involved in BIA measurement differences were assessed using linear regression analysis. RESULTS: ). CONCLUSIONS: The use of electrodes with small gel area affects BIA measurement in the supine position, especially when PhA is used as an indicator of the nutritional status. Therefore, it is essential to specify the type of electrodes and carry out comparative tests before changing consumables for body composition assessment, to ensure BIA measurement reliability in clinical and research settings.