Bioelectrical impedance in young patients with cystic fibrosis: Validation of a specific equation and clinical relevance

Abstract Background Body composition (BC) analysis based on bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) provides conflicting results. The purpose of the study was to validate an equation specific for young patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), describe their BC and investigate its association with lung function. Methods Fifty-four young CF patients were evaluated by BIA and dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). An empirically derived CF-specific equation for fat-free mass (FFM) estimation by BIA was elaborated after stepwise multivariate regression and the agreement between BIA and DXA was assessed by Bland–Altman plots. The association between BC and lung function was investigated by regression analysis. Results The mean difference between the BIA and DXA assessment was close to zero. A total of 22.5% of patients ( n = 9) presented a FFM z -score ≤ − 2. They had a worse pulmonary function and diaphragmatic impairment. Among these 9 patients, 7 had a normal BMI z -score > − 1. Conclusions BIA, based on a CF-specific equation, is a reliable method for BC assessment and allows the identification of patients at risk of nutritional degradation and bad respiratory prognosis.