Quantification of visceral adipose tissue using lunar dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in Asian Chinese

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the new DXA VAT method on an Asian Chinese population by comparing to a reference method, computed tomography (CT). Design and Methods In total, 145 adult men and women volunteers, representing a wide range of ages (19-83 years) and BMI values (18.5-39.3 kg/m2) were studied with both DXA and CT. Results The coefficient of determination (r2) for regression of CT on DXA values was 0.947 for females, 0.891 for males and 0.915 combined. The 95% confidence interval for r was 0.940-0.969 for the combined data. The Bland-Altman test showed a VAT bias (CT as standard method) of 143 cm3 for females and 379 cm3 for males. Combined, the bias was 262 cm3 with 95% limits of agreement of -232 to 755 cm3. While the current DXA method moderately overestimates the VAT volume for the study subjects, a further analysis suggested that the overestimation could be largely contributed to VAT movement due to breath-holding status. Conclusions For Asian Chinese, VAT measured with DXA is highly correlated to VAT measured with CT. Validation of the DXA VAT tool using a reference method (e.g., CT) needs to carefully control the breath-holding protocol. Copyright © 2013 The Obesity Society.