Hepatology

Improve patient treatment and long-term outcomes

Disclaimer: InBody devices should be used as an adjunct tool for clinical decision-making and are not intended to diagnose or treat any diseases. 

Why is body composition analysis an effective tool for assessing liver health?

Body composition is important for understanding and assessing changes in body fat distribution and muscle mass, which can be indicators of liver disease progression. It provides valuable information for monitoring and managing a patient’s overall health.  

 

In addition, body composition analysis helps to differentiate between muscle, fat, and body water levels in liver conditions. By tracking these changes, healthcare providers can optimize patient care and tailor treatment plans accordingly.  

 

In less than 70 seconds, healthcare providers receive an InBody Result Sheet (body composition printout) that can aid in: 

  • Assessing changes in body fat distribution and muscle mass
  • Monitoring treatment outcomes and optimizing patient care
  • Tailoring treatment plans and tracking individualized patient progress

Empowered by objective data, healthcare providers can more effectively identify, treat, and manage liver conditions, improving patient treatment plans and long-term outcomes

MUSCLE-FAT ANALYSIS

Gain insights into the distribution of muscle and fat in the body.

As highlighted by Endo, et al., 2023, the analysis of muscle-fat body composition enables healthcare providers to identify associations between liver health and the impact of low muscle or muscle loss in older patients. The study investigated the progression of muscle loss in chronic liver disease patients, and the effects of liver cirrhosis on this progression, which can help guide treatment plans more effectively. Additionally, Lee, et al., 2021 discussed the significance of preserving muscle mass in the treatment of NAFLD patients. 

SKELETAL MUSCLE MASS INDEX

Assess sarcopenia status and frailty

A low Skeletal Muscle Mass Index (SMI) can increase the risk of falls or sarcopenia in patients with NAFLD, as shown in a study by Seko, et al., 2019. Healthcare providers can then incorporate the data provided by InBody into treatment plans for improved patient outcomes. In their study, Sinn, et al., 2022 found that patients with NAFLD had an increased risk of sarcopenia, indicating that early screening and subsequent interventions can be useful to reduce the rate at which skeletal muscle mass (SMM) is lost.  

SEGMENTAL LEAN ANALYSIS

Modify patient interventions

Appendicular skeletal muscle (ASM) includes the muscle mass in both the upper and lower extremities, as seen in the Segmental Lean Analysis section of the InBody Results.  It is used to calculate skeletal muscle mass index (SMI). As illustrated in a study by Pan, et al., 2022, low ASM was shown to be associated with “more severe histological features of NAFLD”. Additionally, Kwon, et al., 2020 examined correlations between MFR (skeletal muscle-to-body fat ratio) and NAFLD in non-obese children and adolescents, with SMM defined as ASM. They observed that decreased SMM was significantly correlated with NAFLD in non-obese pediatric patients. 

VISCERAL FAT AREA

Identify indications of fat associated with cardiometabolic health risks

By assessing the amount of visceral fat, the severity and risk of liver disease and other liver-related conditions can be better understood, as seen in a study by Li, et al., 2021. Visceral Fat Area (VFA) measures provided by InBody can offer insights into the impact of a patient’s visceral fat on liver disease and its associations. Further, a relationship between appendicular skeletal muscle mass ( defined as SMM) and VFA parameters (SV ratio) has been found useful as a predictive risk factor for NAFLD in men and women who are both lean and overweight (Cho, et al., 2022).  

 

BODY FLUID ANALYSIS

Evaluate fluid imbalances and prevent complications

Extracellular water to total body water ratio (ECW/TBW) can be helpful, preoperatively, in the assessment of fluid imbalances in living donor hepatectomy patients, helping to determine the distribution of body water (Suh, et al., 2022).  Additionally, Honda, et al., 2022 monitored body composition changes, including fluid imbalances, in patients undergoing direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy, observing significant decreases in ECW, TBW, and intracellular water (ICW).

WHOLE BODY PHASE ANGLE

Understand cellular health and function in liver disease

Analysis of the whole-body phase angle (PhA) can aid in the evaluation of muscle function in liver cancer patients, helping to guide interventions, as shown by Hashida, et al., 2021. Measures of PhA can further help in the assessment of nutritional status and may be beneficial in predicting outcomes in liver disease, as shown by Chen, et al., 2020, whose study found significant associations between PhA values and NAFLD in overweight patients, suggesting that PhA may be a useful tool in the management of NAFLD in overweight populations.

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