DESCRIPTION
Using low-dose x-rays of two different energy levels, whole body dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measures lean tissue mass and total and regional body fat, as well as bone density. Measurements of body composition have been used to study how lean body mass and body fat change during health and disease. This has provided a research tool to study the metabolic effects of aging, obesity, and various wasting conditions such as occurs with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or post-bariatric surgery.
POLICY
Whole body dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to determine body composition is considered investigational.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
It is unclear how information regarding body composition could be used in the active medical management of an individual to improve health outcomes.
SOURCES
Ashby-Thompson, M., Heshka, S., Rizkalla, B., Zurlo, R., Lemos, T., Janumala, I., et al. (2022). Validity of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry for estimation of visceral adipose tissue and visceral adipose tissue change after surgery-induced weight loss in women with severe obesity. Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.), 30 (5), 1057-1065, doi: 10.1002/oby.23415. Abstract retrieved December 21, 2022 from PubMed database.
BlueCross BlueShield Association. Evidence Positioning System. (10:2023). Whole body dual x-ray absorptiometry to determine body composition (6.01.40). Retrieved December 20, 2023 from www.bcbsaoca.com/eps/. (32 articles and/or guidelines reviewed)
Imboden, M., Welch, W., Swartz, A., Montoye, A., Finch, H., Harber, M., et al. (2017). Reference standards for body fat measures using GE dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in caucasian adults. PLOS One, 12 (4), e0175110. (Level 4 evidence)
Rothney, M., Xia, Y., Wacker, W., Martin, F., Beaumont, M., Rezzi, S., et al. (2013). Precision of a new tool to measure visceral adipose tissue (VAT) using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Obesity, 21, E124-E126. (Level 4 evidence)
Swainson, M., Batterham, A., Tsakirides, C., Rutherford, Z., & Hind, K. (2017). Prediction of whole-body fat percentage and visceral adipose tissue mass from five anthropometric variables. PLOS One, 12 (5), e0177175. (Level 3 evidence)
U. S. Food and Drug Administration. (2007, June). Center for Devices and Radiological Health. 510(k) Premarket Notification Database. K071570. Retrieved January 9, 2012 fromhttp://www.accessdata.fda.gov.
ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE DATE: 8/14/2010
MOST RECENT REVIEW DATE: 2/8/2024
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