Bioelectrical impedance analysis of basal metabolic rate and body composition of patients with femoral neck fractures versus controls.

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we aimed to compare basal metabolic rate and body composition in patients with femoral neck fractures and controls.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixty-eight consecutive patients with femoral neck fractures (36 males, 32 females; mean age 73.9 ± 7.1 years, range 65 to 93 years) and 71 controls (33 males 38 females; mean age 72.1 ± 5.9 years; range 65 to 90 years) were prospectively analyzed. The controls were matched with the patients in terms of sex, age, and body mass index. The findings were assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).

RESULTS

The phase angle, body capacitance, resistance, reactance, body cell mass, lean body mass, basal metabolic rate, and intracellular water values of the patients were found to be significantly lower, compared to the controls. Extracellular mass, fat mass, extracellular mass/body cell mass and extracellular water levels were significantly higher in the patients, compared to the controls. There was no significant difference between the patient and control group in terms of the total body weight/lean body mass ratio.

CONCLUSION

Although it is not clear whether these physiological changes are an exact cause of a predisposition for simple falls, the assessment of basal metabolic rate and body composition by BIA may be a useful adjunctive tool for the evaluation of physiological changes in the routine health screening of elderly people.