Relation between risk of falls, sarcopenia and parameters assessing quality of skeletal muscles in a group of postmenopausal women

Abstract

Introduction: Involutional changes that occur in skeletal muscle are a feature that characterizes the aging process. In women, age-related decreases in muscle mass and function of skeletal muscles occur more rapidly with the onset of menopause. Progressive muscle dysfunction has been directly linked with an increased probability of falls, fractures, disability and mortality. Aim of the study: To assess the relationship between the risk of falls and parameters of skeletal muscle assessment in a group of postmenopausal women together with the identification of patients with sarcopenia. Material and methods: This study was carried among 122 women over 60 years of age. Patients had their muscular system tested with the emphasis on the sarcopenia diagnosis using: Total Body Composition, handgrip and physical performance tests. Patients also underwent a questionnaire survey assessing occurrence of falls. Results: The analysis showed an over 2-fold increase (OR 2.4; 95% CI, 1.02-5.56) in risk of falls in a year among subjects with decreased muscle mass. No such correlation was noted with parameters such as falls in the last 12 months and decrease of muscle strength as well as physical performance. Sarcopenia is more likely to be diagnosed with European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP1) criteria than EWGSOP2 (updated in 2018) (18% vs. 4.1% respectively). The increased risk of falls has not been proven in women with sarcopenia. Conclusions: The decrease of muscle mass is significantly correlated with the risk of falls in the last year in postmenopausal women. Impact of sarcopenia on the risk of falls depends on diagnostic criteria.

Relation between adipose tissue and the musculoskeletal unit in a group of postmenopausal women

“…The total body composition module enables the assessment of selected parameters that characterise muscle tissue [appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM)/height 2 -appen.lean/height 2 -kg/m 2 ] as well as adipose tissue [visceral adipose tissue area (VAT) cm 2 , total % body fat and fat mass/height 2 ]. The efficiency of the ASMM/height 2 index for the assessment of the muscle system has been previously confirmed by Bering et al, Kołodziej et al as well as Warzecha et al [15][16][17]. Additional information on the muscle tissue was collected using a hydraulic dynamometer (Baseline 12-0240, NY, USA) which allowed us to assess the handgrip muscle strength of the patients.…”

“…The other limitations include the previously mentioned retrospective character of the study regarding the data on fractures and falls. Our study results did not include the assessment of the physical fitness (PF) of the patients, as these were published (PF assessed with Timed up and Go, 4-meter walking test) in the previous paper relating to falls and sarcopenia [ 17 ]. The scientific literature lacks studies on the relation between bone, muscle and adipose tissue.…”

“…as well as Warzecha et al . [ 15 – 17 ]. Additional information on the muscle tissue was collected using a hydraulic dynamometer (Baseline 12–0240, NY, USA) which allowed us to assess the handgrip muscle strength of the patients.…”

Potential Utility of Electrical Impedance Myography in Evaluating Age-Related Skeletal Muscle Function Deficits

“…Forty-two percent of older adults have one or more physical limitations in performing daily tasks that are essential for independence (Seeman et al, 2010). Age-related muscle wasting, weakness, and diminished muscle quality are important contributors to these physical impairments (Rantanen et al, 1998(Rantanen et al, , 1999(Rantanen et al, , 2000(Rantanen et al, , 2002Rantanen, 2003;Syddall et al, 2003;Visser et al, 2005;Sasaki et al, 2007;Leong et al, 2015;Duchowny, 2019;McGrath et al, 2019a,b;Jyvakorpi et al, 2020;Warzecha et al, 2020). This age-related degeneration of the muscular (or more precisely neuromuscular) system is commonly referred to as "sarcopenia" or, more conceptually, pathological age-related skeletal muscle function deficits (Cruz-Jentoft et al, 2010, 2019Correa-de-Araujo et al, 2017, 2020.…”