Features of older community-dwelling adults with osteosarcopenia requiring support or care.
Takahiro Shiba, Yohei Sawaya, Tamaki Hirose and 4 others
PMID 35527844WHAT IT FOUND
Among 141 older adults requiring support or care, 43.3% had osteosarcopenia.
This group had significantly worse physical performance, lower nutrition scores, and higher care needs than those with only sarcopenia or only osteopenia. Screening for both bone and muscle loss may identify those at greatest risk.
Key findings
01Osteosarcopenia was present in 43.3% of the 141 participants who required support or care and received ambulatory rehabilitation.
02Participants with osteosarcopenia had significantly lower grip strength, skeletal muscle mass index, and nutritional scores, and higher support or care levels, compared to the control group.
03Multiple regression analysis showed osteosarcopenia was significantly associated with lower BMI, grip strength, gait speed, and nutritional status, and higher care levels, more strongly than osteopenia or sarcopenia alone.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study was conducted in a single facility, so the results may not generalize to other populations or settings. The cross-sectional design prevents determining whether osteosarcopenia causes functional decline or results from it. Bone density was measured using quantitative ultrasound, which is less accurate than the standard dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for diagnosing osteoporosis. Participants who were too frail to stand or walk were excluded, potentially underestimating the prevalence in the most disabled older adults.
Declared interests
The study was supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. The author declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that osteosarcopenia causes functional decline. The study is cross-sectional, so it shows an association but cannot prove that having both conditions leads to worse outcomes rather than being a result of them.