Altered fat tissue distribution is associated with increased inflammation, cardiovascular mortality, and cognitive impairment. In certain studies, we use dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), a safe and non-invasive technique to measure body composition including lean mass, fat tissue mass, and bone mineral density. This technology is very accurate and precise. DXA has become the new “gold standard” because the results are extremely repeatable, and it has the ability to show exactly where fat is distributed throughout the body.
In general, a patient without coverage can expect to pay a couple of hundred dollars for the procedure. Many participants see this as a benefit when DXA is used in a study, as they will receive the scan at part of their participation. The full reports will be given and explained to them. During the scan the participants simply lie on a padded table and an arm scans the length of their body. The whole process usually takes less than 10 minutes and gives us quite a lot of important information!
