Cutoff values for appendicular skeletal muscle mass using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in a reference group of Turkish adults

Background: The aim of this study is to determine cutoff values for different appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) methods measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in a reference group of the Turkish population.Methods: Body composition analyses were performed with DXA, and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) was adjusted to body size as ASMI using height squared (ASM/ht2), weight (ASM/wt), and body mass index (BMI) (ASM/BMI). Sex-specific cutoff values were obtained as 1 and 2 standard deviations (SDs) below the mean values of ASM/ht(2), ASM/wt, and ASM/BMI.Results: A total of 207 (106 women and 101 men) healthy adults were enrolled. Sex-specific cutoff values based on 1 SD below the mean values of ASM, ASM/ht(2), ASM/BMI, and ASM/wt were 14.44, 5.45, 0.61, and 24.07 in women and 22.63, 7.22, 0.90, and 29.04 in men, respectively; 2 SDs below the mean values of ASM, ASM/ht(2), ASM/BMI, and ASM/wt were 11.96, 4.65, 0.51, and 21.75 in women and 19.26, 6.40, 0.78, and 26.55 in men, respectively. ASM, ASM/BMI, ASM/ht(2), and ASM/wt were statistically significant positively correlated with handgrip strength (r = 0.81, r = 0.78, r = 0.73, and r = 0.67, respectively; P < 0.001).Conclusion: In this study, ASM/BMI was found to be the most suitable ASM adjustment method to predict muscle strength.

Automated summary

This study aimed to determine cutoff values for different appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) methods measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in a reference group of the Turkish population. The results showed that ASM/BMI was found to be the most suitable ASM adjustment method to predict muscle strength.