The Role of BIA Analysis in Osteoporosis Risk Development: Hierarchical Clustering Approach

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a common musculoskeletal disorder among the elderly and a chronic condition which, like many other chronic conditions, requires long-term clinical management. It is caused by many factors, including lifestyle and obesity. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a method to estimate body composition based on a weak electric current flow through the body. The measured voltage is used to calculate body bioelectrical impedance, divided into resistance and reactance, which can be used to estimate body parameters such as total body water (TBW), fat-free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), and muscle mass (MM). This study aims to find the tendency of osteoporosis in obese subjects, presenting a method based on hierarchical clustering, which, using BIA parameters, can group patients who show homogeneous characteristics. Grouping similar patients into clusters can be helpful in the field of medicine to identify disorders, pathologies, or more generally, characteristics of significant importance. Another added value of the clustering process is the possibility to define cluster prototypes, i.e., imaginary patients who represent models of “states”, which can be used together with clustering results to identify subjects with similar characteristics in a classification context. The results show that hierarchical clustering is a method that can be used to provide the detection of states and, consequently, supply a more personalized medicine approach. In addition, this method allowed us to elect BIA as a potential prognostic and diagnostic instrument in osteoporosis risk development.

Practical but Inaccurate? A-Mode Ultrasound and Bioelectrical Impedance Underestimate Body Fat Percentage Compared to Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry in Male College Students

“…The BIA sends a weak electric current (50 kHz in the present device) through the body, and the resulting voltage is used to calculate bioelectrical impedance, which is divided into resistance and reactance. These measurements can be used to estimate total body water, fat-free mass and fat mass [ 11 ]. It is important to note that the exact equation used by this specific BIA device is proprietary and not publicly known.…”

“…BIA devices are generally simple to use, inexpensive and avoid radiation exposure. This method is based on the electrical properties of the body and determines the resistance resulting from an electrical current passing through the body [ 11 ]. The subject’s weight, height and age are considered to estimate total body water.…”

“…Then, specific equations are applied to determine the body fat percentage (BF%) [ 6 ]. Several BIA devices are commercially available, and they have been applied to assess body fat in obese people, young men and women and to analyze the risk of osteoporosis development [ 11 ].…”

Exploring the Interplay between Bone Marrow Stem Cells and Obesity

“…An increase in BMAT is described in several clinical conditions, in which there is an inverse correlation between BMAT, bone mineral density, and bone quality. For instance, individuals with osteoporosis, the most prevalent bone remodeling disease in the world, have been found to have a higher bone marrow fat content [ 4 , 5 ]. In fact, most bone loss disorders, including aging, and numerous clinical illnesses have been linked to an increase in bone marrow adiposity [ 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”

Skin Bioimpedance Analysis to Determine Cellular Integrity by Phase Angle in Women with Fibromyalgia: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is one of the methodologies used to calculate body composition parameters, and has been extensively studied for its reliability in obtaining phase angle values [13,14]. BIA is a non-invasive technique that measures human body bioelectrical conductivity value [15]. The phase angle (PhA) obtained through BIA has been explored as a potential way to screen for both inflammatory and oxidative abnormalities [16][17][18].…”