Osteosarcopenia is more than sarcopenia and osteopenia alone

Sarcopenia and osteopenia/osteoporosis show a high prevalence in old age and incur a high risk for falls, fractures, and further functional decline. Physical performance and bone metabolism in patients suffering from the so-called osteosarcopenia-the combination of sarcopenia and osteopenia-are currently still unknown.

This study investigates physical performance and bone metabolism in osteosarcopenic, prefrail, community-dwelling older adults.

68 prefrail adults between 65 and 94 years were assigned to four groups according to mean DXA results: osteosarcopenic [low T-score and low appendicular lean mass (aLM)], sarcopenic (low aLM), osteopenic (low T-score), and controls. Multiple linear regression analysis, adjusted for age, gender, physical activity, and 25-OH-vitamin D3 serum level, was used to identify the influence of being osteosarcopenic, sarcopenic, or osteopenic on physical performance (hand grip, chair rise test, sit-to-stand power, gait speed, SPPB) and serum markers for increased bone turnover [osteocalcin, β-crosslaps and procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide (P1NP)].

Only osteosarcopenic participants showed significantly reduced hand grip strength, increased chair rising time, and STS power time as well as significantly increased bone turnover markers.

Due to low physical performance and high bone turnover, older adults with osteosarcopenia have to be regarded as the most at-risk population for fractures and further functional decline.

Up-to-date osteoporosis and post-fracture management of older persons should aim at both, bone and muscle.