Precision of the Hologic Horizon A dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in the assessment of body composition

BackgroundAs the number of individuals with obesity increases, so too will the demand for a precise, cost-effective and safe method to better risk-stratify this heterogenous population. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) area, a body composition measurement has been associated with the many facets of the metabolic syndrome.AimTo determine the precision of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in providing body composition measurements, including VAT area, using the Hologic Horizon A scanner.MethodThirty participants (mean age 64 years, 47% male), underwent two sequential body composition scans. The coefficient of variation (CV) and least significant change (LSC) were calculated for android/gynoid ratio, appendicular lean/height², lean/height², total body fat and lean mass, total body mass, and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and VAT area. Participants were stratified according to age (<70 or ≥70 years), body mass index (BMI) (≤30 kg/m² or >30 kg/m²) and sex (male or female). The CV was calculated for each parameter and then analysed for differences between groups.ResultsThe CV for all parameters was <3% with the exception of SAT (3.86%). The CV of VAT area was 2.63% with a LSC at 95% confidence of 7.28%. Apart from the CV differences between males and females for android/gynoid ratio (male: 3.56% vs. female: 1.74%, p = 0.01) and SAT area (5.04% vs. 2.46%, p = 0.01), there were no significant differences identified between the calculated CV for all other body composition parameters when participants were stratified by age, BMI and sex.ConclusionDXA scanning, using the Hologic Horizon A system, is capable of providing precise body composition measurements.