Correlation between bone mineral density and sarcopenia in US adults: a population-based study

Abstract

Introduction In the aging process of the body, in addition to changes in fat and muscle content, there is also bone loss, implying the possibility of a strong muscle–bone–lipid link. In this study, we initially investigated the relationship between lumbar BMD and low muscle mass and the relationship between “muscle–bone–lipid.” Methods The datasets from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2018 were used in a cross-sectional investigation. BMD and appendicular skeletal muscle (ASM) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and appendicular skeletal muscle was adjusted by body mass index (BMI) as a marker of sarcopenia. Weighted multivariate regression and logistic regression analysis were used to explore the independent relationship between lumbar BMD and sarcopenia. Fitted smoothing curves and threshold effect analysis were used to describe the nonlinear relationship. Result In 8386 participants with ages 20–59 years, there was a negative association between lumbar BMD and sarcopenia. In the fully adjusted model, the risk of developing sarcopenia decreased by 93% for each 1-unit increase in lumbar BMD (OR = 0.07, 95%CI 0.03–0.20). The risk of sarcopenia was 58% lower in participants in the highest quartile of lumbar BMD than in those in the lowest quartile (OR = 0.42, 95%CI 0.27–0.64). This negative association was more pronounced in the population of women with BMI ≥ 25. Conclusion Our findings suggest that lumbar BMD is negatively associated with sarcopenia in US adults. The dynamic balance between “muscle–bone–lipid” is likely to be related to the pathogenesis of bone loss.

Can bone mass measured via bioelectrical impedance analysis be used to diagnose sarcopenia?

“…Studies using DXA suggest a negative association of bone mineral density with sarcopenia. ( 14 ) It has also been reported that the dynamic balance between “muscle–bone–lipid” may be associated with the pathogenesis of bone loss. ( 14 ) Our study reveals that the progression from a healthy condition to pre-sarcopenia in older adults results in a lower limb fat index (LFI), which is a novel fat index.…”

“…( 14 ) It has also been reported that the dynamic balance between “muscle–bone–lipid” may be associated with the pathogenesis of bone loss. ( 14 ) Our study reveals that the progression from a healthy condition to pre-sarcopenia in older adults results in a lower limb fat index (LFI), which is a novel fat index. ( 15 ) Conversely, LFI became higher in the process of progression from pre-sarcopenia to sarcopenia, revealing that sarcopenia progression is associated with fat.…”

Association of metabolic syndrome and sarcopenia with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality: a prospective cohort study based on the NHANES

“…Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM), the sum of the lean mass of extremities, was assessed using dual-energy X-ray (DXA) (QDR Discovery; Hologic, Inc., Bedford, MA, USA). In this study, SP used ASM divided by body mass index (BMI) (ASM/BMI) with cutoff points of ≤ 0.789 in men and ≤ 0.512 in women according to the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) criteria, which widely used in recent research ( 30 ).…”

Association between the oxidative balance score and low muscle mass in middle-aged US adults

“…Skeletal muscle was defined as mass that was neither fat nor bone, and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) was determined as the total mass of the lean soft tissue of the extremities. Muscle mass was assessed by the ASM index (ASMI) which was determined as the total ASM in kg divided by the BMI in kg/m 2 (24). Low muscle mass was assessed using the ASMI with the cut-off values of ASMI <0.512 for women and < 0.789 for men (5).…”