Abstract:
Introduction and objective Interaction between three major body compartments; lean, fat and bone masses is essential for the maintenance of optimum bodily functions. This interaction is disturbed by many factors such as age, prevalent disease and drug usage. It is important to understand the interaction of body compartment in major diseases such as chronic renal failure (CRF) to optimize disease outcome. Method Twenty two consecutive patients (16 males) with advanced CRF awaiting kidney transplant at Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya underwent DEXA scan to assess body composition. They were scanned adhering to the manufacturer’s guidelines and the standard analytical software was used for the analysis. Results Mean (SD) age of the patients were 48(9.6) years. Total body lean mass (TBLM) showed significant positive correlations with total body bone mineral density (TBBMD) (r = 0.43, p = 0.059), total body bone mineral content (TBBMC) (r = 0.66, p = 0.002), spine BMD (r = 0.42, p = 0.068), femoral neck BMD (r = 0.39, p = 0.090) and total hip BMD (r = 0.46, p = 0.041), independent of age. No significant correlations were observed between total body fat mass (TBFM) and either total or regional BMDs. Conclusion: TBLM is the best predictor of TBBMD and BMC in patients with advanced CRF and this knowledge can be used in health promotion programs to improve bone health of these patients.
