Comparison of Body Fluid Volumes Determined by Kinetic Modeling and by Bioimpedance Spectroscopy

Introduction: The bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) method is used in individual patients requiring body fluid volume measurement. In a hemodialysis facility, however, regular screening of body fluid volumes is also necessary. Such screening, by kinetic modeling, may become possible by calculating distribution volumes of urea and uric acid from regular blood test results. Objective: The aim is to compare uric acid distribution volumes with BIS-extracellular volume, urea distribution volume with BIS-total body water, and difference between urea and uric acid distribution volumes with BIS-intracellular volume. Methods: We reanalyzed stored blood test data of 53 hemodialysis patients obtained together with BIS data of the same patients in our previous study. Results: Significant correlations were found between urea distribution volume and total body water predicted by the BIS method, between uric acid distribution volume and extracellular volume predicted by the BIS method, and between the difference of uric acid distribution volume from urea distribution volume and intracellular volume predicted by the BIS method. In Bland-Altman analysis, comparison of each pair showed no systematic error. The mean difference between each pair was minimal. Conclusion: Fluid volumes in different body compartments can be estimated by kinetic modeling as well as by the BIS method.