Associations between bone mineral density loss in the past decade and sarcopenia in community-dwelling older women—The FRISBEE 2 study

Abstract

Objective

To assess the associations between EWGSOP2-defined sarcopenia and bone mineral density (BMD) loss in the past 6–16 years in community-dwelling older women from the Fracture RISk Brussels Epidemiological Enquiry (FRISBEE2) study.

Methods

Retrospective cohort design. Nine hundred seven community-dwelling older women constitute the baseline sample of the FRISBEE2 study. Participants had undergone an initial dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) evaluation for osteoporosis in the past 6–16 years prior to the study's commencement and were re-assessed at baseline. Baseline evaluations included EWGSOP2-defined sarcopenia (handgrip strength, appendicular lean soft tissue mass/height², 4-m gait speed) and osteoporosis assessment (total hip BMD). Baseline BMD value of each participant was compared with their own value in the previous DXA evaluation in the past 6–16 years. A BMD loss > 3.0% threshold was considered as “least significant change”. Adjusted multiple logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between sarcopenia and BMD loss.

Results

Out of 907 participants, 172 (19.0%) had EWGSOP2-defined probable sarcopenia, 76 (8.4%) had confirmed sarcopenia, and 630 (73.2%) experienced significant BMD loss. After adjustment for confounders, regression models showed that BMD loss > 3% in the past years was associated to twofold higher odds of probable sarcopenia (i.e., low handgrip strength) [OR = 2.23 (95%CI 1.36–3.66); p = 0.002].

Conclusions

The study found a clinically relevant association between the presence of sarcopenia and bone loss in the past 6 to 16 years in community-dwelling older women. A significant BMD loss should alert clinicians to the possible coexistence of sarcopenia.