Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026
Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
BMI-stratified cutoff values for spinal sarcopenia in Chinese adults based on CT measures: a multicentre study
Wenkai Wu1,2, Fangfang Duan3, Zhiguang Liu4
1Department of Spine Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, National Centre for Orthopaedics, Capital Medical University, No.31 Xinjiekou East Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100035, China.
Background:
Decreased size and mass of paraspinal muscles are associated with lower vertebral bone mineral density, more postoperative complications, increased mortality, and spinal sagittal imbalance. However, it is difficult to determine muscle loss in older adults with overweight and obesity. This study aimed to investigate the effects of body mass index (BMI) and central obesity on paraspinal muscle aging and to determine cutoff values for low paraspinal muscle mass/quality in Chinese community populations.
Methods:
In this nationwide cross-sectional study, abdominal CT scans and basic information were collected and analyzed from 4,305 community-dwelling adults from twelve representative cities in China between 2013 and 2017. Psoas and posterior paraspinal muscle index (PMI and PSMI) and density (PMD and PSMD) at the L3 level were measured using OsiriX software. Correlation analysis, multiple linear regression, and one-way ANOVA were performed for statistical analysis. Commonly used cutoff value calculations were applied to define low muscle index and density (Mean-2SD, 5th percentile in young people, and 20th percentile in older people) in the general population and individuals with different BMIs.
Results:
Correlation analysis showed that the paraspinal muscle index and density were primarily correlated with sex, BMI, and age. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the paraspinal muscle index (PSMI and PMI) was primarily influenced by sex (β=-0.391 and - 0.599, p < 0.001) and BMI (β = 0.442 and 0.371, p < 0.001), followed by age and waist circumference. In contrast, muscle density (PSMD and PMD) was mainly associated with sex (β=-0.405 and - 0.317, p < 0.001) and age (β=-0.409 and - 0.429, p < 0.001), with a slight influence from WC and BMI. Considering the significant effect of BMI on muscle mass, we calculated BMI-stratified cutoffs for PSMI (as 12.3/10.6, 15.0/11.7, and 15.2/11.9 cm2/m2 in normal, overweight, and obese men/women using M-2SD), PMI (as 3.8/2.9, 5.0/3.4, and 4.9/3.9 cm2/m2 in normal, overweight and obese men/women using M-2SD), and unstratified cutoffs for PSMD (as 36.3 and 31.1 HU in men and women) and PMD (as 40.1 and 36.9 HU in men and women).
Conclusions:
This study found that sex and BMI were key determinants of paraspinal muscle mass, with BMI influencing paraspinal muscle number more than age. In contrast, muscle density was primarily influenced by sex and age. This study provided BMI-stratified and non-stratified cutoff values for low paraspinal muscle index and density, which aided in the identification of spinal sarcopenia in individuals with different BMIs.
