Bone Mass Loss and Sarcopenia in Ecuadorian Patients

Abstract

Introduction. An intimate relationship between osteoporosis and sarcopenia has been established. At present, there are few epidemiological studies about osteosarcopenia due to the recent use of this term, especially in Latin America. Objective. To study the association between osteoporosis and sarcopenia and determine the prevalence of osteosarcopenia in patients who attended a rheumatology center in Ecuador. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a population of patients who had a densitometric study. The diagnosis of sarcopenia was determined by the DXA standard gold test, screening, and conventional methods (bioimpedance, anthropometric measurements, SARC-F, muscle function, and gait test). Results. A total of 92 patients were studied. The median age was 66 ± 10, 90% females. Using the criteria of SMI, 65% had sarcopenia of which 9% had only sarcopenia and 56% had osteosarcopenia; 22% had only osteopenia/osteoporosis; and 13% none of these conditions. The prevalence of sarcopenia according to handgrip strength was 60%, gait speed 45%, and SARC-F score 40%. The prevalence of osteosarcopenia according to handgrip strength was 51%, gait speed 34%, and SARC-F score 32%. Osteoporosis was associated with a higher prevalence of sarcopenia using the criteria of SMI since 40% had sarcopenia in the normal DXA group, 64% in the osteopenia group, and 76% in the osteoporosis group (p=0.017). Of the women, 69% had sarcopenia compared to 33% of the men (p=0.034). The BMI was lower in the group with sarcopenia (25.1 ± 4.1 kg/m2) compared to the group without sarcopenia (29.4 ± 4.1 kg/m2, p<0.001). Patients with osteosarcopenia and sarcopenia had lower BMI, handgrip strength, ASM, SMI, and total-body skeletal muscle mass than those with osteopenia/osteoporosis or normal patients. Conclusion. 65% of the studied population had sarcopenia. It is clear that the prevalence of sarcopenia is higher in patients with greater loss of bone mass. Identifying pathways that affect both bone and muscle could facilitate the development of treatments that simultaneously improve osteoporosis and sarcopenia.

Associations Between Muscle Mass, Muscle Morphology and Bone Health in Older Men With Sarcopenia: A Cross-sectional Study

“…Turning to body composition association with T-score, in Swiss study, men with sarcopenia, which was characterized as skeletal muscle mass index lower or equal to 7.26 kg/m 2 , had signi cantly lower femoral neck T-score compared to men, who had higher skeletal muscle mass index [25]. Furthermore, Intriago and colleagues found that in older adults with osteoporosis lean mass, appendicular lean mass and SMMI were lower than in older adults without sarcopenia [26]. However, the majority of participants in that study were women.…”

Associations between Physical Function, Bone Density, Muscle Mass and Muscle Morphology in Older Men with Sarcopenia: A Pilot Study

“…Turning to body composition association with T-score, in a Swiss study, men with sarcopenia, which was characterized as skeletal muscle mass index lower or equal to 7.26 kg/m 2 , had significantly lower femoral neck T-scores compared to men who had higher skeletal muscle mass index [ 27 ]. Furthermore, Intriago and colleagues found that in older adults with osteoporosis lean mass, appendicular lean mass and SMMI were lower than in older adults without sarcopenia [ 28 ]. However, the majority of participants in that study were women.…”

A pas de deux of osteoporosis and sarcopenia: osteosarcopenia

“…In the Hertfordshire Cohort Study, muscle size and muscle strength were positively associated with bone size and strength [18]. Greater loss of bone mass was noted in CONTACT C. Cooper cc@mrc.nhs.uk NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK osteosarcopenic patients compared to osteoporotic patients in a study conducted in Ecuador dominated by female participants [19]. A positive relationship between muscle and bone mass decline over a year was recognized in older individuals in the SarcoPhAge study [20], whereas an increase in the risk of fracture and a decline in muscle strength were associated with a decrease in spine and hip BMD [20].…”