It is time to abandon the use of body surface area derived from a 100-year-old formula

Clinical parameters and drug dosing indexed to body surface area (BSA) have been widely used. For example, cardiologists use indexation to BSA for the cardiac linear measurements, aortic valve area (AVA), stroke volume, left ventricular mass, et al.; Oncologists use BSA indexed dosing for chemotherapeutic agents; Nephrologists use indexation of renal function parameters to BSA. BSA is calculated by the two most commonly used formulas, Du Bois& Du Bois ’(Du Bois) or Mosteller's formula. However, despite its wide utilization, little attention was paid to the accuracy and validation of the calculated BSA.
Source: The American Journal of Medicine - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Commentary Source Type: research