Table 1.
Objective assessment of muscle mass, strength, and function
| CKDa/dialysis considerations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Muscle mass | Bioelectrical impedance (BIA) | BIA—measured after midweek session (in dialysis) |
| Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) | Significant atrophy of skeletal muscle may interfere with measurements in some patients | |
| Computerized tomography (CT) | ||
| Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) | ||
| Strength | Isotonic (constant load) Dynamometry, free weights | Using limb contralateral to dialysis access |
| Isometric (constant angle) Hand-held dynamometry, computerized dynamometry, manual testing | Timing test with dialysis (pre-or post-dialysis) | |
| Isokinetic (constant velocity) Computerized dynamometry | ||
| Function | Gait Speed (4 m walk) | Vascular complications, amputations, and neuropathy in CKD patients may limit use of certain tests. |
| 6 min walk test | ||
| Repeated chair stand | ||
| Timed up and go | ||
| Upper body ergometer |
a
Reference values/cutoffs from healthy populations are likely different from those from CKD patients