Composição corporal em mulheres com deficiência da 21-hidroxilase: comparação dos métodos antropométricos e de impedância bioelétrica em relação a um grupo controle Body composition in females with 21-hydroxylase deficiency: comparison of anthropometric methods and bioelectric impedance in relation to a control group

Objective: To estimate body composition by evaluating skinfold thickness (ST) and electric bioim- pedance (EB) in a group of women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to classical 21-hydro- xylase deficiency (CAH-C-21OHD) in relation to a control group. Subjects and methods: Sixteen patients and 26 controls were evaluated, all female, with age varying from 8 to 18 years. Fat (FM) and lean (LM) masses were evaluated by ST and EB. FM and LM data were analyzed in relative (%) and absolute (kg) values, and in relation to stature (FMI and LMI). Results: There were no observed significant differences between the two methods in each group. In relation to the control group, CAH-C-21OHD patients showed higher values for FM (%) EB, FMI EB and LMI ST but lower values for FM (%) EB. Positive and high correlation values were observed for all parameters analyzed. Conclusion: ST and EB results observed were similar in this sample of females with CAH-C-21OHD, but controversial in relation to the control group, suggesting caution when using these methods to evaluate body composition in this population. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2010;54(3):274-81