Association of Low Bone Mass with Decreased Skeletal Muscle Mass: A Cross-Sectional Study of Community-Dwelling Older Women.

Koji Nonaka,Hideki Nakano,Akio Goda,Kayoko Shiraiwa,Kunihiko Anami,Jun Horie,Shin Murata,Hiroaki Iwase,Teppei Abiko

doi:10.3390/healthcare8030343

Koji Nonaka, Hideki Nakano + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare8030343

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Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of skeletal muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance among community-dwelling older women. Data were collected from 306 older adults, and the data of 214 older women were included in the final analysis. Participants’ calcaneus bone mass was measured using ultrasonography. Based on their T-scores, participants were divided into the following three groups: normal (T-score > −1), low (−2.5 < T-score ≤ −1), and very low (T-score ≤ −2.5) bone mass. Further, participants’ skeletal muscle mass, muscle strength (grip and knee extension strength), and physical performance [gait speed and timed up and go (TUG)] were measured. Arm skeletal muscle index (SMI, skeletal muscle mass/height2), leg SMI, and appendicular SMI in the very low bone mass group were low compared to those of the low bone mass group (p = 0.034, p = 0.011, and p = 0.009, respectively). Grip and knee extension strength, gait speed, and TUG were not significantly different between the groups. These findings suggest that older women with low bone density had decreased skeletal muscle mass. Therefore, maintaining or improving skeletal muscle mass may prevent low bone mass.

Highlights

Loss of bone tissue and bone strength occurs with aging, and is accelerated in menopausal women [1]
We investigated the characteristics of muscle strength and and physical performance in these women, because it is possible that muscle mass is related to muscle physical performance in these women, because it is possible that muscle mass is related to muscle strength, which influences physical performance strength, which influences physical performance [11]
Were significantly lower in the very low bone mass group compared to those of the low bone mass group (p = 0.034, p = 0.011, and p = 0.009, respectively). These findings suggest that muscle mass decreases when bone mass decreases

Summary

Introduction

Loss of bone tissue and bone strength occurs with aging, and is accelerated in menopausal women [1]. Osteoporosis, a condition marked by low bone mass, is three times more common in women compared to in men [2]. Low bone density can result in hip fractures [3]. A study reported that among adults who could previously perform activities of daily living (ADL) independently, only 36%. Returned to independence, 27% survived but required ADL assistance, and 37% died 6 months to. 2.5 years following a hip fracture [4]. It is important for older women to maintain bone health to prevent fractures. Muscle mass reduces with aging [5,6], and age-related loss of bone and muscle mass occurs almost simultaneously [7]. Muscle mass is related to bone mass in postmenopausal women [8]

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