Altered tissue distribution in adults with cystic fibrosis

Background: Regional body composition was determined in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF). Our hypothesis was that dual energy x ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning could assess the fat free mass, bone mineral content, and fat mass and determine the distribution of the changes. Method: Height squared indices were derived for fat mass (FMI), fat free mass (FFMI), and bone mineral content (BMCI) of the arm, leg, and trunk by DXA in 51 patients and 18 age/sex matched healthy subjects. Results: The arm and leg FFMI in patients were less than in healthy controls (parm>trunk (−18.19%, −14.86%, +0.09%, p