Disclaimer: InBody devices should be used as an adjunct tool for clinical decision making and are not intended to diagnose or treat any diseases.
InBody devices take the guesswork out of dialysis treatments to help identify the most effective treatment options for the patient and obtain the ideal goal weight. In 60 seconds, professionals can use the InBody to:
Obtain objective fluid measures to guide goal weight management
Assess muscle and fat mass to make nutritional changes
Evaluate segmental fluid imbalances to identify circulation issues
Doctors rely on indirect measures of fluid retention to determine how much fluid to remove or when to stop dialysis treatments, often leading to intradialytic complications. Direct fluid measures increase the precision with dialysis treatments and the establishment of goal weight for patients.
By understanding changes in body composition and the accumulation of fluids during the intradialytic period, physicians can determine how much water to remove and achieve an appropriate goal weight. Setting goal weights based on objective measures of body composition and fluid levels, physicians can avoid intradialytic complications such as hypo- or hypertensive episodes, increasing the success of dialysis treatments. Relieving these symptoms in patients leads to better long-term outcomes and attendance of appointments.
Intradialytic weight gain can be masked by the loss of muscle and fat mass. Professionals rely on the indirect practice of pitting edema to identify changes in fluid levels. Objective measures of body water help identify water retention as a form of weight change independent of changes in muscle or fat mass.
Nephrologists can use Segmental ECW/TBW Analysis to distinguish fluid accumulation from muscle and fat composition, allowing for more accurate tracking of fluid overload independent of nutritional status. This will allow physicians to set proper goal weights, confirm fluid volumes post-dialysis, and make more appropriate adjustments of patient goal weights long-term.
Dialysis vintage can disrupt lifestyle habits including diet and exercise, leading to malnutrition and muscle loss. Identifying changes in body composition allows dietitians and nutritionists to adjust nutrition plans and educate patients on importance of muscle and fat balance.
Restrictions to normal food intake and exercise can lead to malnutrition changes to body composition that can complicate the setting of appropriate dry weights. The InBody test tracks changes in body composition so dietitians and nutritionists can educate patients on dietary and exercise needs to promote muscle and fat maintenance. Understanding changes specific to each patient allows professionals to develop specific dietary recommendations based on individual needs.
Special note: Still overhydrated after dialysis, and InBody suggested to lower the dry weight by 0.7kg (ECW ratio at 0.395).
Doctor’s reference: Based on X-ray, the patient is overhydrated but it is difficult to remove more water as the patient condition is not good. Need to be careful as continuous overhydration can cause hypertension, edema, and enlarged heart.
