[Evaluation of muscle mass using Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry].

DXA can accurately calculate bone mass, fat mass, and lean body mass, and so is considered the gold standard among methods of measuring skeletal muscle mass. Skeletal muscle mass is an essential item in the diagnosis of sarcopenia. Since the appendicular lean mass nearly corresponds to muscle mass, the appendicular skeletal muscle mass corrected for body height has been proposed as an indicator of muscle mass, and is the basis for a diagnosis of sarcopenia.