Evaluation of adductor pollicis muscle thickness obtained by ultrasonography and adipometer in patients with chronic kidney disease under conservative treatment

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the concordance between adductor pollicis muscle thickness (APMT) measured by ultrasonography and adipometer and the applicability of the measurement as an indicator of the nutritional status of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: Epidemiological study with a cross-sectional design (n= 137). The concordance between APMT assessed by both methods were evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficient. Bland-Altman graphics were produced. APMTs were correlated with body mass index (BMI); calf circumference (CC), brachial circumference (BC) and brachial muscle (BMC); lean tissue mass (LTM); LTM index and body cell mass (BCM) via Pearson correlation. The adipometer overestimated APMT by 7 mm when compared to ultrasonography. APMT measured by adipometer was moderately correlated with BMI, CC, BC, BMC, LTM and BCM. APMT by ultrasonography was weakly correlated with CC, BMC, LTM, and LTM index. Conclusion: APMT presented weak or moderate correlation between methods. The measurement was predictive of muscle mass. We suggest that APMT be used in a complementary way in the evaluation of body composition.