Relationship between obesity, sarcopenia, sarcopenic obesity, and bone mineral density in elderly subjects aged 80 years and over

Objective

This study sought to analyze the relationship between the components and aggravations of body composition (obesity, sarcopenia, and sarcopenic obesity) and bone mineral density in elderly subjects aged ≥80 years.

Methods

A cross-sectional study design was utilized to assess 128 subjects aged between 80 and 95 years. Body composition and bone mineral density were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Gait speed was assessment by walking test. The statistical analyses included Spearman's correlation, one-way analysis of variance, the chi-squared test, and binary logistic regression analysis.

Results

The elderly subjects with sarcopenia had lower bone mineral density compared to the obesity group, with higher risk for presence of osteopenia/osteoporosis in the spine (OR: 2.81; CI: 1.11–7.11) and femur (OR: 2.75; CI: 1.02–7.44). Obesity was shown to be a protective factor for osteopenia/osteoporosis in the spine (OR: 0.43; CI: 0.20–0.93) and femur (OR: 0.27; CI: 0.12–0.62).

Conclusion

It was found that lean mass is more directly related to bone mineral density (total, femur, and spine) and sarcopenia is associated with osteopenia/osteoporosis. Obesity represents a possible protective factor for osteopenia/osteoporosis in elderly subjects aged 80 years and over.