Development and Cross-Validation of a Simple Model to Estimate Percent Body Fat in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis

Overview

Journal Int J MS Care

Date 2021 Nov 1

PMID 34720758

Citations 2

Authors

Fabio Bertapelli

Stephanie L Silveira

Stamatis Agiovlasitis

Robert W Motl

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) have higher body composition variability compared with the general population. Monitoring body composition requires accurate methods for estimating percent body fat (%BF). We developed and cross-validated an equation for estimating %BF from body mass index (BMI) and sex in persons with MS.

Methods: Seventy-seven adults with MS represented the sample for the equation development. A separate sample of 33 adults with MS permitted the equation cross-validation. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) provided the criterion %BF.

Results: The model including BMI and sex (mean ± SD age: women, 49.2 ± 8.8 years; men, 48.6 ± 9.8 years) had high predictive ability for estimating %BF ( < .001, = 0.77, standard error of estimate = 4.06%). Age, MS type, Patient-Determined Disease Steps score, and MS duration did not improve the model. The equation was %BF = 3.168 + (0.895 × BMI) - (10.191 × sex); sex, 0 = woman; 1 = man. The equation was cross-validated in the separate sample (age: women, 48.4 ± 9.4 years; men, 43.8 ± 15.4 years) based on high accuracy as indicated by strong association ( = 0.89, < .001), nonsignificant difference (mean: 0.2%, > .05), small absolute error (mean: 2.7%), root mean square error (3.5%), and small differences and no bias in Bland-Altman analysis (mean difference: 0.2%, 95% CI: -6.98 to 6.55, = -0.07, = .702) between DXA-determined and equation-estimated %BF.

Conclusions: Health care providers can use this developed and cross-validated equation for estimating adiposity in persons with MS when DXA is unavailable.

Citing Articles

Usefulness of bioelectrical impedance analysis in multiple sclerosis patients-the interrelationship to the body mass index.

Matusik E Front Neurol. 2024; 15:1409038.

PMID: 39022735 PMC: 11253598. DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1409038.

Body Composition in Multiple Sclerosis Patients and Its Relationship to the Disability Level, Disease Duration and Glucocorticoid Therapy.

Matusik E, Durmala J, Ksciuk B, Matusik P Nutrients. 2022; 14(20).

PMID: 36296931 PMC: 9610927. DOI: 10.3390/nu14204249.

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