[Association of frailty with osteosarcopenia in community -dwelling older people using the kihon checklist]

The combination of sarcopenia and osteoporosis is a risk factor for frailty and fractures, which are the main causes of conditions that require long-term care. The objective of this study was to clarify the association between frailty, as measured using the Kihon Checklist (KCL), sarcopenia, and low bone mass.

A total of 521 community-dwelling older adults were recruited and frailty was assessed using the KCL. A binomial logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between frailty and the presence or absence of sarcopenia and low bone mass, with the presence or absence of frailty as the dependent variable. In addition, the sub-items of the KCL were compared to examine the characteristics of the four groups based on the presence or absence of sarcopenia and low bone mass.

Of the participants, 17.7% were frail. Only osteosarcopenia was associated with frailty (odds ratio 3.324, 95% confidence interval 1.308-8.448). Osteosarcopenia was also associated with a poor motor function, poor nutritional status, social isolation, and depressed mood.

The results suggest that older people with a combination of sarcopenia and low bone mass are at a high risk for frailty, as measured by the KCL, and that a comprehensive approach to their care is required that includes not only physical, but also mental, psychological, and social aspects.