ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SARCOPENIA AND OSTEOPOROSIS AMONGST GREEK COMMUNITY – DWELLING OLDER ADULTS

M. Tsekoura¹, E. Billis², K. Fousekis², C. Matzaroglou², E. Tsepis², J. Gliatis³

Background: Sarcopenia and Osteoporosis are amongst the commonest geriatric syndromes and associated with significant morbidity, disability and mortality. Recent studies have provided evidence that these two conditions can co-exist. However, in Greece data on the prevalence of sarcopenia and its association with other comorbid factors (such as osteoporosis) are limited.

Purpose: To assess the prevalence rate of sarcopenia and its association with osteoporosis in Greek older adults.

Methods: For this cross-sectional study, 331 older adults (> 60 years old) were recruited from the region of Achaia, mainland in Western Greece. Osteoporosis was defined by total Bone Mineral Density (BMD) (lumbar spine BMD, femoral neck BMD) using the World Health Organization criteria. Sarcopenia was identified by muscle strength, muscle mass and gait speed assessment using the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) criteria. All participants underwent the Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for assessment of BMD.Muscle strength was assessed via Hand grip strength (Saehan).Body composition was determined using bioelectrical impedance analysis, with a Tanita BC-601 model body analysis monitor.Functional assessment was assessed via the four meter walking test.All participants signed an informed consent form prior to their inclusion. Data were analysed via binary logistic regression.

Results: A total of 331 community-dwelling older adults (74.9% women) with a median age of 71.3 years were included in this study. Among the 331 participants, 41 (12.4%) were diagnosed with sarcopenia (34.9% men, 65.1% women), and 90 (27.2.%) were diagnosed with osteoporosis (10% men, 90% women). In addition, 23.3.% (n=77) were diagnosed with probable sarcopenia  and 4.8% (n=16) with severe sarcopenia. Using regression analyses, sarcopenia was positively associated with osteoporosis (OR=0.12; CI 0.08-0.15); and age ((OR=0.008; CI 0.004-0.01).

Conclusion(s): The results of this study show that there is a positive correlation between sarcopenia and osteoporosis; this association had not been previously confirmed in Greece. Further research with larger sample is indicated in order clarify the precise association of specific characteristics of patients with sarcopenia and osteoporosis.

Implications: The prevalence of sarcopenia and osteoporosis is high in elderly populations.  It is therefore mandatory to properly diagnose these diseases in order to prevent their clinical onset. Identifying factors associated with sarcopenia, could allow for targeted interventions which may improve the health and quality of life of elderly population.

Funding, acknowledgements: None 

Keywords: Sarcopenia, Osteoporosis, Older adults

Topic: Older people

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes

Institution: Technological Educational Institute of Western Greece

Committee: Technological Educational Institute of Western Greece

Ethics number: 221017