High Prevalence of Sarcopenia in Women with Osteoporotic Fractures

The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of sarcopenia in women with osteopenia/osteoporosis with or without fragility fractures. Patients and methods: 112 ambulatory women with osteopenia/osteporosis were included. Body composition was determined by DXA. Weight, height, body mass index (BMI), bone mineral density (BMD) of the total skeleton, total lean mass (LM), appendicular lean mass (ALM) and the index: appendicular lean mass/height² (ALM/h²) were determined. Grip strength and self-selected gait speed were assessed. Results: Average (X ± SD) results were: age 70.9 ± 8.2 years, BMI: 23.1 ± 3.3 kg/h², total skeleton BMD T-Score:-1.7 ± 0.8, total LM 33.3 ± 3.8 kg, ALM 14.4 ±2.1 kg and ALM/h²: 5.86 ± 0.68 kg/h². Walking speed 0.96±0.21m/s and handgrip: 18.8 ± 4.8 kg. The prevalence of sarcopenia was: 24.7% (International Working Group criteria). Values for BMI, LM, ALM, ALM/h², gait speed and hand grip were significantly lower in sarcopenic vs. non-sarcopenic patients. 29 patients, average age: 70.5 ± 8.0 years had osteoporotic fragility fractures (Fx). The prevalence of sarcopenia in the group of patients with Fx was 41.4% vs. 19.3% in the non-Fx patients (n=83) (p<0.018). Conclusion: The prevalence of sarcopenia in women with osteopenia/osteoporosis was higher compared to that usually reported in non-selected patients of similar age. Those with bone fractures had a significantly higher prevalence of sarcopenia compared to the non-fracture patients. The assessment of muscle mass and function in patients with osteopenia/osteoporosis is recommended.