Bioimpedance analysis in medicine

Abstract

Introduction. Bioimpedance analysis is a noninvasive, low cost and a commonly used approach for body composition measurements and assessment of clinical setting. There is a variety of methods applied for interpretation of measured bioimpedance data and a wide range of utilizations of bioimpedance in body composition estimation and evaluation of clinical status. This method is currently becoming more widely used for diagnostics of various pathological disorders. Aim of the study. Revealing the conceptual basis and application of bioimpedance, as well as the method feasibility regarding physiological activity, body composition and chronic diseases assay. Materials and methods. Assaying the contemporary models concerning the implementation of bioimpedance in clinical research, including indirect assessment of physiological functions and body composition (fluid volumes and fat-free mass), classification of hydration, regional fluid accumulation, prognosis of disease and wound healing as well. Results. Increasing request for accurate, cost effective and non-invasive systems for clinical status monitoring and diagnosis of diseases, has accelerated the research endeavors to provide new methods and technologies for evaluation of the human body health. Body composition assessment tools have been considered a promising approach for the quantitative measurement of tissues characteristics over time, additionally to a direct assay of body composition equivalences and survival rate, clinical condition, illness and quality of life. Conclusions. Bioimpedance analysis is a growing method for body compartments estimation in nutrition studies, sportive medicine and evaluation of hydration rate, fat mass and fat free mass between healthy and diseased populations. Fat mass, fat free mass including skeletal muscle mass, bone minerals, and total body water are compartments that can be predicted and analyzed using suitable bioimpedance measurements techniques, procedures and special equations applied in population in concern to age, ethnic groups etc.