Body composition analysis by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in female diabetics differ between manufacturers

OBJECTIVE: Comparison of body composition results by two dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) instruments, namely QDR-2000 from Hologic Inc and from Lunar in subpopulations of lean and obese subjects. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study with 85 female diabetics (BMI 18-43 kg/m2) measured with both DXA instruments. RESULTS: The regression lines for fat tissue mass (FTM), FAT% and total body bone mineral content (TBMC), but not lean tissue mass (LTM), were different from the line of identity (P < 0.01). However, the relationships were high (r2 > 0.95), and the corresponding SEE%'s were low (0.8-4.8%), and were independent of BMI. FTM and FAT% measured by the QDR-2000 were 10% higher, and LTM and TBMC 6% lower, than by DPX (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There were lack of agreements between total body composition results by DPX Lunar, and QDR-2000 Hologic Inc. Individual results on the two systems cannot be directly compared. Standardization of body composition measurements by DXA is strongly needed.